Why did God put you on this earth? What’s your purpose? Some people live their entire lives trying to figure out what their entire life was supposed to be about. They come to the end wondering where they should have started. It’s not that they didn’t live well. Many have a stack of achievements. They can explain what they did and how they did it; they just can’t explain the “why.”

Today, let’s look at a man who knew his “why.” John the Baptist understood, embraced, and accomplished his divine calling.

John 1:6-9
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

John lived with laser focus. He was sent by God to prepare the world for God. He came as a witness to tell others that the Messiah was on the way. His message was a call to righteousness, to right living. John was born to prepare people for the entrance of God’s Son.

John’s austere appearance and radical message produced quite a following. He even had his own group of disciples. But the man never became bigger than the message. He never shared center stage with Jesus. He pointed people to the true light and stepped into the shadows.

John’s ministry teaches every believer to keep their lives focused on Jesus. While what we do and how we do it will differ from one person to the next, our “why” is the same as John’s. The light, “which gives light to everyone,” has come into the world. We are to “bear witness about the light.” Our “why” is to witness about Jesus.

Father, please keep me from getting in the way of the message of Jesus. Help me know my purpose clearly, fulfill my purpose well, and live in the shadow of the light that reveals the way to heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.