As we all know, when highway traffic slows, tempers rise. Aggressive driving, road rage, ordinary citizens morph into sociopathic, ranting, deadly drivers -- we've all seen it or felt it. What can we do?Whatever we do, we know that adding capacity won't solve the traffic problem, nor will it solve the time problems we have in our own lives. Adding more capacity, more time, will not treat the basic issues of how to unclutter our lives and prepare for the coming of the Lord.
In fact, there are a few possibilities to explain the congestion and frustration in our lives as we enter this Advent season. We might consider that as we start packing to meet God, we may be on the wrong highway. God may not be found on the road of materialism that we're traveling. If we find that our lives are full of gridlock, it's because we're on the same road as everyone else. Time to get off that road and on another.
Even if we are on God's road, it may need some smoothing out. It is very easy for seasonal and distracting potholes to create a bumpy ride on the way to meet God.
John the Baptist is the voice crying out in the wilderness, "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."
John the Baptist is announcing Good News -- the Messiah is almost here, so get ready. Preparation is not a matter of tough highway building but of repentance. Grace makes this possible.
