“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3

So many times we find ourselves trying to prepare the way for, well, ourselves. Exalting our ideas and desires, we promote what is important to us, and we remove all obstacles that stand in the way. We fight and prepare for whatever we value. So often we try to clean up our hearts and pretend everything is fine, making it look like the way is all prepared and ready. The truth is we can’t prepare our hearts by enough good works or hard trying; it is only through humbling ourselves and realizing that we need our Savior to take on the large task of glorifying Himself through us. Even the mundane things of life, the boring desert times that seem like they will never pass, are really just a calling to prepare a highway before our Maker. Are we daily using all our energy by placing Him first in our lives or are we half-hearted? As the old saying goes our actions speak louder than our words; are we satisfied with preparing a dirt path for Him?

Are we kidding ourselves? This is the King of Kings, the One who humbled Himself because He loved us enough to make the way for us. Beyond that, He is the way! He is ready to carry us through the desert. He desires that we walk in His way of holiness. Don’t get distracted by the things of this world that take our eyes and attention off of Jesus Christ. Every thought, action and attitude should be taking us one step closer to Jesus Christ. We need nothing else because He is more than enough! So, why do we settle for less than the abundant life He offers us? Every obstacle in the road must be removed, no matter how large or small it is. If there is anything that is keeping us from having an intimate relationship with our Lord, then it must go.

There is nothing that is worth our relationship with Him. Each of us faces different lies, fears, and feelings that keep us from believing that our God is enough. However, anything that is wrong in the road must be corrected. Sometimes the roads in the valleys need to be lifted up; other times a road has to be cut through a passage in the mountains. Only Jesus knows what we need. The real preparation begins in our hearts.

Our God is faithful! He will always be there to hear us. “The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” Psalm 34:15. Whether we are in a dry desert or going through a rough wilderness, He is there. “…A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17. Clear the way in your heart, prepare a highway for that abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.

Also, be that voice in someone else’s life. John declared in the wilderness “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  Only those who are humble and yielded to their Master will see the salvation of God. What are we doing to help others prepare to receive the Savior in their hearts?

~Sarah Johnson