Mark 1 - staying focused on the work

Both John the Baptist and Jesus Christ were very clear about their purpose on earth. And because of that, they were able to stay focused and accomplished what they had set out to do. They were able to complete the work tasked to them.

John the Baptist knew that he wasn't the Christ, but he was the one who would prepare the way before Him. He knows that who he is, and who he isn't.

Often, as we search for our own identity and self-worth, we may eventually come to a knowledge of who we are. We may be called to be teachers.... or to be preachers.... or mothers.... etc. And that is good. We know where our gifts are and we employ them for the benefit for the Church. However, let us also not neglect knowing who we are not.

We are definitely not God. There was once I was really worried about how a truthseeker's first impression of the church service might be that I went to talk to a preacher about it and to raise some suggestions. But the preacher simply said, "It is the Lord's burden. We need not worry too much." It almost felt like someone hit my head with a bell and the sound simply echoed within my mind. I was awakened then, and serving Him became much sweeter.

Knowing who we are not also help us to stay humble. John the Baptist once made this statement about Jesus Christ: "He must increase, but I must decrease." When we see others more gifted in the area of work we once were good at, do we give praise to God, or do we become jealous and unhappy? In our divine service, do we seek to exalt ourselves, or Jesus?

Jesus Christ Himself also knew His exact purpose on earth. While His fame had already spread throughout the region (Mark 1:28), and everyone was seeking after Him, this was what He said,

"Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth." (Mark 1:38)

Because both John the Baptist and Jesus Christ were focused on their purpose in life, they were able to complete that which were entrusted to them to fulfill.

At the start of this new year, it is good to ponder, what is it that God has entrusted into my care? What is it that God has tasked me to complete? And let us remember to emulate John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, how they remained focused, to complete the work.

"And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have." (2 Corinthians 8:10-11)