The wisdom of Jesus is-- Extraordinary. Life-changing. Victorious. Courageous.

Are you a light in the darkness? Welcome to Radical and Relevant. The wisdom of Jesus is enduring. In today's scripture from the first chapter of John's Gospel, we hear about John the Baptist appearing on the scene, his message, and his profound understanding of his own role in God's plan. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came for testimony to bear witness to the light, and all might believe through him. He was not the light, but he came to bear witness to the light. And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed. He did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." They said to him, "Then, who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.' As the prophet Isaiah said." Now, they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one whom you do not know. Even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." This took place in Bethany, beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The word that jumps off the page in this reading for me is light. All around us, the battle between light and darkness seems to be intensifying. John the Baptist came to testify to the light. Are you testifying to the light in your life? Are you afraid to testify to the light in some situations? I am. I don't mind admitting my fear. It is getting harder and harder to testify to the light, even among some friends who have been in my life for decades. People are more satisfied with their own darkness than ever before. But never mind them. We need to be careful of that in our own lives.

Have you gotten comfortable with your own darkness? Rather than trying to eradicate your own darkness, do you pridefully embrace it and pretend it is part of your most authentic self? We are all called to be a light in the world. How bright is your light right now? Or have the disappointments of life, your personal struggle with sin, and the grind of daily life dimmed your light? That's okay. These things happen. The important thing is knowing how to rekindle the light within you. Go to God today and ask Him to brighten the light within you. Ask Him to increase your faith, your hope, and your love, all of which are bright lights in our souls. Then sit with God and explore a personal litany of gratitude. We have so much to be grateful for. And gratitude is an enormous light in the human soul.

John the Baptist trusted God. He trusted God's plan. He knew to focus on his part of that plan and not to worry about all the other pieces of that puzzle. Each encounter with John the Baptist in the Bible is an invitation to trust God more. Do you know the part God wants you to play in His plan? It may be different for this season in your life than it was in the last season of your life. If you don't have clarity about this, ask God to give you clarity around what it is He wants you to do in this season of your life. In God, we trust. That's what our money says. But do we?

The virtue of the day is trust. Trust is a firm belief in someone's ability, reliability, and integrity. Let us pray with the father who brought His Son to Jesus to be healed. "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief." Let this be a mantra throughout your day today. "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief." Pray it a dozen times, two dozen times. "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief." The gospel of Jesus Christ is as radical and relevant today as ever before. Go out into the world today and astonish people with your deep trust in God. And remember, do not just be yourself. Be the very best version of yourself. All that God created you to be.

Thank you, Ambassadors. You are changing the world. Have a great day. Bye-bye. Simon, come sit. I love you.

Have a great day!