There are choices we make. There are also things over which we have little to no control. Our parents, ethnicity, the century and country of our birth – as well as our personal history for example. We have little influence over basic defining parameters of who we are.
Alongside this we choose our own friends, decide the nature of our core beliefs and desires, and eventually settle on a personal vision we believe will result in a satisfying life. Good decisions – and bad – they are ours to own.
John (the Baptist’s) life and fate were woven together with his cousin Jesus, long before they were born. Isaiah 40 paints a clear picture of who John would be. And remember how baby John did flip-flops in his mommy-tummy when the two pregnant women met?! One mom was beyond the age of child-bearing, and the other had never slept with a man. Talk about a unique, God-ready circumstance!
There are many aspects of the human experience which can contribute to a wild ride. But just as the Father did for Jesus and John the Baptist, He sets our existence and life-parameters into motion. And within this we find our true destiny – and ultimate opportunity to choose to “become less so He may become more!”
John the wild submits to the Lamb (John 1:29-36).
“The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’
“I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water. John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’
“I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.” Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”