Voices In The Wilderness
The Voice Of God Is Supposed To Be Comfort
by Eric Elkin
“John replied, ‘I am a voice crying out in the wilderness, make the Lord’s path straight, just as the prophet Isaiah said.”
The wilderness has many voices. Most of them are either eerie or lonesome. Stand on a butte in an open prairie in North Dakota. You will hear the wind sing a song. If you dwell in that wilderness, the melody is one of freedom and space. Ranchers are soothed by the sound. People from urban areas, though, hear something more ominous.
Lewis and Clark heard the voice of the wind when they entered the Great Plains of the Louisiana Purchase. The sound was frightening to these explorers. They had never ventured out into a wilderness so open and treeless. As they gazed out over the horizon, they feared for their lives.
If you have ever camped in a tent, you know the strange voices of the wilderness. Even the smallest of sounds comes to life at night. Darkness silences the ambient noise of daylight. With all background noise subdued, the human ear picks up every little movement. Then the human mind converts these benign sounds into a pending doom.
Birds foraging in the bushes sound like a cougar on the prowl. A helpless raccoon searching for food sounds like a great bear wanting to devour a lonely camper. I used to think the Whip-poor-wills calling in the night were trying to summon evil spirits. None of this is true, but you have a hard time convincing your mind it is not
“God created us for love, for union, for forgiveness and compassion and, yet, that has not been our storyline. That has not been our history.”
Many voices are calling out in the religious wilderness as well. These voices compete with each other leaving most people confused. Some Christian voices proclaim the end is near. While others say, the kingdom of God is breaking open. They both claim to be voices in the wilderness. It leaves us wondering, who is right? Is it all ending or just beginning?
Preachers on the internet cry out for the people to return to good Christian morals. I’m cynical of these voices. The one speaking, typically, provides the worst example of good. Not to mention, we often differ on Christian morals. Before they can even finish their proclamation, though, another preacher is calling into question these very same morals.
The people listening to all the voices crying in the wilderness are left confused. They naively think the message should be simple. It’s amazing how complex the message can become once a preacher gets involved in the crying out. And, I say that as a preacher. The truth hurts.
John’s voice in our reading does not point followers to himself. He does not ask people to be better. Instead, he directs everyone’s attention to Jesus, the light in the darkness. Faith is not about what we do for God, but what God is doing for us in Christ Jesus. He is saving, loving, healing, and dwelling with those who feel most lost. The voice crying in the wilderness is not supposed to be eerie, lonely, condemning, or frightening. The voice is supposed to be comfort to all people.
Click to read John 1: 6-8; 19-28
Reflection Questions:
What sound in the wilderness has frightened you?
When has the voice of a religious leader left you empty, angry, or feeling condemned?
How was the one speaking being, or not being, authentic to proclaiming Christ?
Where do you most need comfort this day? How can Jesus’ voice help?
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