Bold Humility

John 1:25-30 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.’

One of my foundational Christian attitudes has to do with the realization of my identity. My theology (idea about God) has changed as I wrestle with three questions. Who am I? Who is God? Who are you? I mean what is my view of myself, my nature, my character, my value, etc. Who is God, what is my idea of what God is like, His nature, His character, His relationship to me, etc. Who are you, can you be trusted, what should be my actions toward you, how can I love you, etc. My answers have changed as my faith has developed. I think I have some pretty good answers now, but I'm not sure I've got it all together yet.

I admire John the Baptist because he knew who he was and who he wasn't. He did his part in God's plan and pointed to the one who he knew was to follow. His humility mixed with his bold witness has continued to stir my heart. He knew who was and whose he was. At times I lack boldness in my humility and at other times I lack humility in my boldness. I always need to remember to point at the same one that was to follow John, that is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, Jesus.

This is just one part of the answers to my three questions. I have questions that I know I will not have answered until I meet Jesus face to face, but I want to follow Jesus as I answer all my questions, at point others to find Him and answer their questions.