From Anxiety to Hope

In the early winter of AD 28, an extraordinary rumor spread across the shores of Galilee. A new prophet is on the scene.

God had been silent for so long. Believers had longed for a new word from God. The last prophet to speak about the Messiah lived nearly 400 years ago. Some thought prophecy was dead. Others hoped it would be revived. Many longed for a movement which would bring them a new kind of freedom.

Then John appears. Crowds come to hear this voice in the wilderness.

It may helpful to remember the Exodus story: When Israel left Egypt, they were ed through the Red Sea, through the wilderness of Sinai, and, finally, through the Jordan into the promised land.

People were desperate for a new exodus, a new freedom.

Then John appears. He tells people to turn their lives around. He calls for people to change their hearts and lives. He's not calling for a one-time event. Instead, this is a radical change of life.

John is preparing the road for the Lord to return. He's saying that the time of rescue, the time of salvation is near.

Changing our direction and our priorities enables us to receive new life. But don't miss this--we have to reflect on the wrongs and the pain that we've caused to ourselves and to others. And we have to consider what we've said and done and what we've we've left unsaid and undone. Now, this isn't intended to make us feel bad or guilty or shameful or not good enough. It's meant to give us insight--insight that leads to change.

John shakes things up. He says the coming kingdom brings new life, a new heart, and a new way.

He invites us to change and to ask ourselves tough questions: How deep is my faith? What is my life saying? Am I changing and growing and improving? Or am I living on auto-pilot?

John makes us uncomfortable because he tells us this life is about more than our comfort.

So if repentance is the turn, what does the follow look like? Pray asking God to use us. Then we taken inventory of our talents and resources. We examine our hearts. We pursue God's passion for justice, peace, and love. We live with conviction and hope and love.

When we follow Jesus we have the promise of new life. That means now is the time to reflect and evaluate. Now is the time to prepare our hearts and lives for the coming king. John invites us not to watch but to participate--to help "prepare the way of the Lord" in our own way, using what we have, so our world can see the hope of God's salvation.

But, if we're honest, sometimes salvation seems so far away. At times in our lives, certain forces feel powerful and in control. Addiction. Unhealthy relationships. A horrible boss. Depression. And for a time it feels as if they reign and like nothing else exists.

What feels so powerful that it's inescapable and in charge? Money? Greed? Debt? Violence? Abuse? Corruption? Anxiety? In the midst of anxiety, aren't you ready for hope? Maybe if we can quieten all the noise of this world, we can hear God speak.

. . . 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God's salvation.'  (Luke 3:4-6)

When a king toured his territory, he would send out a messenger before him to tell the people to prepare the roads. John is the messenger. But he's not telling people to fix the roads. He's saying, "The King is coming. Prepare your hearts and lives."

Luke points to the universal Gospel when he writes, "all people." God embraces all. God loves all. The Gospel is the gift of repentance an the forgiveness of sins to all.

God brings salvation because he is faithful. Our mission is to make our life fit for the King to see.

N.T. Wright says, "All spiritual advance begins with a turning away from what is hindering our obedience." What is holding you back?

If you're like most people, this time of the year is the most anxious time of the year. What do you do with your anxiety? Is it healthy?

Maybe we should listen to Brother Curtis, from the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, who suggests that we pray for the conversion of our anxiety. He says, "When anxiety is converted . . . it becomes hope."

The good news is that if you have anxiety, you're almost hopeful.

Yesterday, I asked some of my preacher friends if they were preaching this text. Two said they were. I asked, "How are you dealing with the list of names (in Luke 3:1-2)?" One said he was skipping them entirely. The other said he was only highlighting that Luke puts John's ministry in it's exact time with political and religious figures.

To be honest with you, I thought about doing a short history lesson, but then I noticed something. My preaching Bible doesn't have any notes or study aids. But it has footnotes.

As we look at the list of men--Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philip, Lysanias, Annas and Caiaphas--these were men who were feared and powerful in their time. But how do we remember them? We remember them in relation to Jesus. Those people are only a footnote in the story of Jesus.

So all those things that facing that seem big and insurmountable, look at them and know that they are only a footnote. Yes the issues that we face are serious, but in the big picture, God can redeem them. In the end, God will win. He can turn anxiety into hope.