I took last week off and I appreciate that some wrote me to ask, "Where are you?" It's nice to be missed, but I am back this week better than ever - well, if not better at least as good as I was two weeks ago! I need your help with Kenya, for this month school fees are due for our orphans. I have two special events that you can help me with, but more on those later. Right now, I want to ask you one simple question and then help you come up with an answer. The question is, "Who are you?"
When John the Baptist broke onto the Judean scene, he created quite a stir among all the people, especially the leadership. They immediately dispatched a delegation to inquire about his mission and purpose as is recorded in John's gospel:
Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, 'I am not the Messiah.' They asked him, 'Then who are you? Are you Elijah?' He said, 'I am not.' 'Are you the Prophet?' He answered, 'No.'Finally they said, 'Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?' John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, 'I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord'" (John 1:19-23).
If John had not known his purpose, he could have easily succumbed to the definitions that were being presented. They tried to make him the Messiah, Elijah and the Prophet. John steadfastly refused to be seen and shaped through the eyes of others, but had a ready answer for those who challenged his work: He had come to prepare the way for the Lord. That statement represents his purpose, and it was biblical and practical. What's more, he had plenty of evidence to back it up, for people were streaming to visit and submit to his baptizing ministry.
Do you have the same kind of clarity that John had? What do you do when people press you for answers as to who you are, what you do best and what are you here to do? If you respond with vague generalities like, "I am here to do God's will" or "I exist to glorify God," then you will leave people no choice but to define you on their own. If you are afraid of that kind of purpose specificity, then you may be content to be known by others' labels. I am not.
This week, spend some time rehearsing your answers to the questions: Who are you? What do you say about yourself? Take a long look at whether you have allowed others to answer those questions for you, or if you have answered them for yourself? Is your answer clear? Does it keep you focused when others are pressuring you to be someone else? Is it so clear that others can describe it on your behalf?
John the Baptist impacted Israel not because he tried to be everything to everyone, or to fulfill others' expectations. He did so because he was a man of purpose. You will do well to follow in his footsteps and to have a ready answer for the world who wants to know who you are. God wants you to know as well, so armed with that knowledge, seek to be clear and consistent when confronted with the question, "Who are you?" Have a blessed week.
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KENYA HARAMBEE LUNCHEON: I am inviting you to be part of my Kenya luncheon here in Pittsburgh on August 29 at 1 PM. Attached below is an invitation with all the specifics. When you come, please bring shoes, book and educational supplies for Kenya. Come ready to purchase some jewelry or sponsor a book bag for a child going to school. You will hear from others who have been to Kenya or who are going in 2016, and you will meet some Kenyan friends who are coming in from Columbus, Ohio. Circle the date and then come out to help us help the widows and orphans in Kenya. An offering will also be received to help our orphans like Phyllis, who is pictured to the right.
KENYA BASEBALL GAME: Then on Saturday night, August 29, we will have our fourth annual fundraiser at PNC Park when the Pirates play the Colorado Rockies. You can read about the event here, which has raised $35,000 toward the work in Kenya over the last three years.
If you cannot come to the luncheon or go to the game, then please give a generous offering toward our work in Kenya. You can give online using PayPal or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882. On behalf of the children, I thank you for your help.
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