Airplanes, B.o.B, John, Jesus, & Camel Hair Habit

^{Matthew 1-2} While Jesus was living in the Galilean hills, John, called "the Baptizer," was preaching in the desert country of Judea. His message was simple and austere, like his desert surroundings: "Change your life. God's kingdom is here."

Notice how they described John's message: simple. No elaborate PowerPoint or big speakers. Notice his surroundings: desert. Deserts, aren't normally the most comfortable locations. OK, hold on to those thoughts. Let's explore a little bit more about John...

^{Matthew 4-6}John dressed in a camel-hair habit tied at the waist by a leather strap. He lived on a diet of locusts and wild field honey. People poured out of Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordanian countryside to hear and see him in action. There at the Jordan River those who came to confess their sins were baptized into a changed life.

Notice too that he wore camel-hair habit with a leather strap belt. SERIOUSLY JOHN?! Imagine that awkward conversation, "So John what are you wearing?". "Camel. Duh." What was at the buffet table? Locust and honey of course! Um...I'll pass!

OK, now look at Christians today in comparison to John. How many pastors would sign up to live in desert surroundings without an iPad, fancy pews, or air conditioning? Would you go? How many youth/children pastors would eat locust and wild honey, wearing camel, and preaching? OK actually I have been both and I would have probably have eaten the locust and wild honey if a student/kid/leader dared me! As far as wearing camel-hair anything...nope, and I want my AC! What about you, would you do something like that if God told you too?

This came to my mind while listening to a rap song by B.o.B ft Haley Williams entitled, "Airplane" on the way to work this morning. It's got some hard lines in it for a pop rap song (listen to the radio version!) but it's lyrics speak some hard truth. In the 2nd verse he reflects about how he would rap years ago because it was fun and it was the truth instead of what it is today: to please the masses. He wrestles with what he has now versus what his passion is really all about...the original music. It's like fame versus realness.

Between Matthew 3 and B.o.B, God has been talking to me saying that truth is truth no matter how we dress it up. If John the Baptist could take truth and share it to people while living in the desert...eating bugs...wearing camel hair....what can we do? Sometimes I think we concentrate so much on everything but the Gospel, that we forget to live the Gospel. Notice I used the word "live" the Gospel because living it is different than just teaching it. 

So. Here we are, at the crossroads. People traveled to listened to John despite his outwardly hangups. Would people travel to listen to you? I'm only asking you because I am asking myself that question as well. What if we took the lyrics to the worship song, "Heart of Worship" by Matt Redman to heart. Not just a good song on the iPod, but we did what it says...to get back to the heart of worship. To get back to our passion. That's what John did. That's what B.o.B raps about. 

So tomorrow morning, be like John the Baptist. No matter where you are, what you are wearing, what you are eating, or what time it is...show the circles around you Jesus. It could be asking someone if you could pray for them. It could be opening the door and saying good morning. It could be _______________. You fill in the blank! Don't stop there, what else could you do?