Winning Ways
Mark 1:3

All of us have seen or heard something that is odd, which captures our attention, prompting us to investigate further or compel us to share it with others.  John the Baptist was something of an oddity, living in the wilderness away from people while being commissioned to be a herald of Christ to the people.  He lived on locusts and honey, and wore camel’s hair leather.  Yet people were moved to come see and hear his message.  We can glean practical applications from John’s example to set us on a path of winning ways for the New Year.

1. Winners Minimize Distractions. John was not in a city or village, but in the wilderness.  He sought God’s perspective, power and purpose in a place that minimized distractions.  A great concern today is excessive stimulation of children and young adults, with all means of gadgets to access social media and video streaming.  Yet that constant network connection has led to increasingly disconnected personal relationships, including that with God.  Minimizing distractions can help focus on what is needed to win and achieve His goals for us.

2. Winners Are Willing To Be Different. John’s lifestyle fully complemented his message of repentance.  He lived a life of restraint, not one of indulgence.  His passionate preaching and lifestyle caused many souls to repent and be baptized.  Sometimes being different makes the difference.  God made each of us different so His grace can uniquely work through us.

3. Winners Step Up, Step Aside And Step Down. John the Baptist would state it as ‘He must increase, I must decrease.’  We are to magnify the Lord and exalt His Holy Name.  God in His infinite grace raises us up, and we in profound gratitude bow down to Him and relinquish everything to praise Him.  Winners give back all the winnings to God.