John’s purpose was to prepare people in his generation for the coming of Jesus. He told the people to repent and be baptized in water because the Messiah was coming. He not only lived out his assignment by preparing a generation but also saw Jesus and knew that the time he had been preparing the people for had come. 

John knew his purpose, the assignment given to him by God. He also knew that his purpose wasn’t bigger than the One for whom he was preparing the way. He proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, the Lamb of God, and exalted Jesus above himself (John 3:30). 

What assignment has been given to you that needs to be stirred up again? Take the leap and step out in faith to live out your purpose, exalt Jesus, and proclaim him as the Messiah.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank You for John the Baptist and people like him who are not afraid to preach repentance. I confess that I often feel like a hypocrite when calling people to repent. Help me remove the log from my own eye and be quick to confess and repent of my own sins so that I can see clearly to help others who may have a speck in their eye. Make me more like John the Baptist and Jesus who were not afraid to call people to repentance and trust in Jesus. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Identify and write down an assignment that God has given you, whether through an instruction in Scripture, a commitment you've made, or a prophetic word. Are you fulfilling that assignment? Identify any activities that may be keeping you from your God-given assignment that need to be cleared away. Prayerfully make a plan to keep moving forward in your assignment and remain faithful to fulfill it.