Matthew 3:3
“For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”
John the Baptist is a preacher who is oftentimes lauded for his ministry, yet he would not be welcome in many pulpits today if he were alive. He was not one voice by accident. His preaching was not accepted by the religious leaders of his day. His preaching was pointed and clear. He was direct and called out sin. His attire was not trendy, but out-of-date. He was one voice that was crying in the wilderness, but that one voice led the way for a greater voice, the voice of Jesus Christ.
Our world needs people who will be willing to be one voice. Many people don’t seem to have the fortitude to stand and be the lone voice crying in the wilderness, but it is the lone voice that seems to always make the difference. It is not the voice that is in lock-step with everyone else that makes the difference, but the voice that makes the “paths straight” that makes the difference. It is not the voice that is concerned with political correctness that makes a difference, but it is the lone voice that stands up to the leader and tells them their lifestyle is wrong. If you want to be that lone voice, then there are some things you must expect.
First, be prepared to stand alone. John the Baptist didn’t have many friends, but he didn’t need friends to pat him on the back to know he was doing right. His need for approval only came from God. If you become that one voice crying in the wilderness, you will be lonely. Don’t volunteer to be the one voice if you are looking for the accolades of man.
Second, be prepared to be misunderstood. John the Baptist was one of the most misunderstood preachers of all time, yet he continued to be the lone voice. Many will not understand your motives or heart, but if you are going to be the lone voice then you must continue to tell the truth. You must take comfort in the fact that you know you are telling the truth, and that truth will do its work on the hearts of man long after you are gone.
Third, be prepared not to get the credit for what is done. John the Baptist was very willing not to receive the credit because he understood that he was preparing the way for someone who would come after him. If you are the lone voice in the wilderness, you won’t be the most wanted person on the national platforms. Your lone voice will seem to most as a controversial voice that they don’t want to be around. If you are the lone voice, you won’t have colleges calling you to give you honorary doctorates, but you won’t need the honor of man to know that you are doing right. The only thing that will keep you going if you are going to be the lone voice is understanding that you are preparing the way for more voices.
Fourth, be prepared to reap great rewards in Heaven. John the Baptist will receive credit for everyone saved since the ministry of Jesus Christ. His ministry prepared the way for Christ, and he will receive the proper credit. It won’t be popular to be the lone voice, but there are many following you who you will influence for right. You will get credit for the work of those you influenced for right. Don’t despair if you are the lone voice, God is watching and will reward you openly. Until then, keep on being the lone voice that prepares the way for generations who follow.