Day 4: The Voice in the Wilderness
A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. - Isaiah 40:3
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” - Mark 1:2-3
Devotional:
I’ve struggled with ADHD since I was diagnosed in first grade. If you’re not familiar with what that is, I'll give you my non-medical definition. It was like there was a television in my head with the channels changing every 30-45 seconds and I wasn’t the one with the remote in my hand. Focus was a real problem. I came off spastic in middle school, but in truth I just couldn’t hold onto one singular stream of thought. One particularly bad day I was sitting at the kitchen table trying to study for my calculus test and my mind was racing everywhere. My mom noticed and said my name, “Drew”. Firmly but lovingly. Then she prayed for me. “Dear Jesus, calm his mind and help him hear your voice.” Her prayer started echoing in my head and it drowned out the other noise. From that day forward when my mind felt like an unnavigable jungle, I repeated her prayer in my head. Over and over again. Even today when I'm stuck in the wilderness of my thoughts, that prayer has become my lighthouse making a way forward for me.
John the Baptist was called to be a voice crying out in the wilderness, urging people to prepare for the coming of Jesus. His message was simple but powerful: “Make straight paths for the Lord.” John’s call reminds us that hearing God’s voice sometimes requires us to remove distractions and prepare our hearts for His arrival. This might mean setting aside time for prayer, fasting from things that steal our focus, or reflecting on areas where we need to grow. As we prepare, our lives become open pathways for God’s presence to enter, not only for ourselves but for those around us who are searching. We, too, can be “voices in the wilderness,” pointing others to Jesus by the way we live and love.
Reflection Questions:
What obstacles in your life might be preventing you from hearing God?
How can you “prepare the way” for Jesus in your life this season?
Prayer Prompt:
Pray for God’s help in removing distractions, asking Him to prepare your heart to receive Jesus fully.