We meet John the Baptist in Luke 3:1-17; 22-23.  He is a voice.  A voice that calls for the crocked things to be made straight, and the obstacles that are placed in the way of human thriving to be removed.  His voice called for repentance that gets down to the foundations of how people choose to live.  And his voice calls for those with power to stop grabbing for the things that belong to others, to stop using false accusations to extort the poor, and to be content with what they produce by the honest work of their own hands.

John’s voice cries in the wilderness, the place of desolation, and calls for everyone to change, to get ready of the coming of God.  Yes, he had an effective voice, but each of us have a voice.  A voice to call out injustice, abuse, unfairness, and manipulation.  We do not have to go to the wilderness to use our voice, we do not have to get in a river to use our voice, but we do have our own area of influence to use our voice.

John’s voice was not only a voice that pointed out sin, it was also a voice that gave instruction for the right way to live.  That is how we must see how we use our voices, not simply tearing down what is wrong, but encouraging what is right.  To instruct others in the ways of the Lord.

How are you using the voice that God has given you?  Who are you encouraging to do the right thing?

Pastor Greg