Press the arrow listen to Francesca Battistelli sing “Free to Be Me” while reading today’s devotion about God’s provocative ways.

Scripture
John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4

Observation
Why did God ignore the head office and start something new from the edges? There were time-tested systems in place, established by Moses and recycled by Ezra. There were libraries full of books and many sincere and submissive men teaching from them. There were even ornate gathering halls designed for large audiences with amenities near by.

But God snubbed everything official, started from the edges, and worked to the centre. He used a hermit at the back of beyond.

How can we recognize if God really is speaking to us from the edges? There are many who murmur in back rows that are not worth listening to. But once in awhile, a John the Baptist holds services in the parking lot rather than in the auditorium. They begin movements and eventually everyone listens, but blessed are those who listen first.

Here is the sign to look for: John the Baptist said everything that was commonly taught with uncommon application. The religious leaders all taught sin, repentance, forgiveness and even baptism. But the leaders had another order. They relied the show of sacrifice rather than the heart of sacrifice. And they taught that as Jews they had an edge over non-Jews, therefore, Gentiles must be baptized to be good enough to enter in. John took all of that common theology and made it personal and provocative. His message was to come to God with extreme humility, not like a Jew, but without rights like a Gentile. And from that lowest point everything would be given.

Application
I want to be among the first to listen when God speaks from the back of the crowd as much as when he speaks from the front. I want to be a man who communicates common things in uncommon ways.

Prayer
Father, keep me on edge to keep my edge. Speak to me from the centre, and speak to me from the periphery. Help me to see the world from the back as well as from the front. Help me to live from the centre of you even if that is off centre to everyone else. Amen.