A Daily Opportunity

“After me comes a man who ranks before me.” (John 1.30) With these words John the Baptist pointed his disciples toward Jesus Christ. He had prepared them to seek the Messiah, Who is Christ. He had promised them that someone greater than he was coming. Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of Epiphany, the Baptism of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. As we have done for some many decades before, we honored the Feast by blessing the Spring Bayou and the entire Tampa Bay Area. In a small way, we did what John the Baptist did so many centuries ago. We pointed others toward Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist finished with the words, “And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1.34) He took advantage of his popularity and many found Christ. Yesterday, because of our revered celebration, thousands of spectators were given the opportunity to see Christ. Did we take full advantage of our chance to point others toward Christ?

Being a member of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral offers us a great opportunity to be like John the Baptist. Throughout the year, not just on Epiphany Day, our blessed Cathedral draws the attention of thousands of visitors, both faithful Christians and others who are seeking the beauty of our Cathedral. Do we take full advantage of their visit to point them toward God?

“I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on Him.” (John 1.32) We also saw a dove fly overhead to remind us of the presence of the Holy Spirit at our Blessing of Spring Bayou. Did we lift up our hearts and give glory to God, just as John the Baptist?

Everyday we are given the opportunity to be like John the Baptist and point others toward Jesus Christ. Let’s take full advantage of our daily opportunity.