We Are The Heathens - Week 4
Lost in Translation:
This week, Pastor Aeric Wallace continued our We Are The Heathens series with a study of John the Baptist.
For all intents and purposes, John the Baptist is an outcast. He is homeless, he wears clothing made of camel’s hair, and he eats locusts. However, he was a heathen who was also the final prophet, the cousin of Jesus, and the man who baptized the Messiah.
John was also a man who was unafraid to be misunderstood. While we believe being misunderstood is “the worst,” John chose to speak the word of the Lord without fear — no matter who believed or understood.
As humans (even followers of Christ), we tend to hide our beliefs and insecurities or stay silent when we should speak out because we’re afraid misunderstandings will lead to a series of unfortunate events. We believe we cannot be misunderstood when we say nothing, so instead we choose silence and passive confrontation.
However, we need to be comfortable being misunderstood. Jesus was misunderstood repeatedly, so a sign that we are following His path is continued misunderstandings that lead to conversations rather than confrontations.
Jesus was misunderstood repeatedly, so a sign that we are following His path is continued misunderstandings that lead to conversations rather than confrontations.
If complete understanding at all times is our goal, we’re going to fail. But if our goal is to be effective rather than understood, we will hit our goal more often than not. In fact, clarity in communication comes from consistent effectiveness, not the other way around. So we should aim to be effective and understanding will follow.
In the scriptures, John is a heathen simply because he understands his purpose. God has a plan to overcome the issues in our path so he can use our passions, projects, relationships, dreams, etc. for His good.
Our solution is bigger than our problems and our own abilities, so we need to confide in the Designer rather than ourselves. Be open to God’s plan, and he will use you for His glory — misunderstandings aside.
Watch this week’s message below or catch up with the series here!
