Honesty Pants

"The Gospel always begins with a messenger, whether it is an angel whispering in Mary's ear or a parent telling a child a story or a skinny prophet standing knee-deep in a river. What strikes me about this messenger - this John the Baptist one - is that he was nowhere near a church, and those who insisted on staying inside the church never heard his message. Only those who were willing to enter the wilderness got to taste his freedom, and many of them were still there when the spectacular Someone arrived, far from the civilized center of town. I reckon everyone of us has some idea where our own wilderness lies, as well as a long list of all the good reasons why we should not go there. We are comfortable here, after all. We know the ropes and we know we will be fed. Why should be hunt God anywhere else? I cannot imagine, unless it is that voice crying out in the wilderness, the one you cannot quite make out from here. If we only listen for God in church, we will miss half of the message. The good news is always beginning somewhere in the world, for those with ears to hear and hearts to go wherevere the way may lead."