Day 32 - 40 Days of Prayer - Susan McGhee

June 24

Today is the day set aside in our calendar to honor the nativity of John the Baptist. It comes just after the summer solstice in our hemisphere, as the days are getting shorter. Christmas Day, the nativity of the One whose way John prepares, comes just after the winter solstice, when the days are getting longer. I am reminded of something John the Baptist said when Jesus’ public ministry began:

I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him. He must increase, but I must decrease.

So here we are, as the days begin to shorten, celebrating the birth of the one who came to bear witness to the light. In our celebration, we remember that we, too, are called to bear witness to that same light. And we are called to do so with the same humility that John demonstrates.

We are counting down the days until the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) meets in General Assembly. It is a good time to remember the principles of our polity. Among those principles is this: “Presbyters are not simply to reflect the will of the people, but rather to seek together to find and represent the will of Christ.” [G-4.0301]. We are not the ones we seek to increase; it is Christ. It is not our will we seek to represent; it is Christ’s. As John used his voice to prepare the way for the coming Messiah, let us use our voice to make way for the new things that God is doing through Christ who loves us.

Susan C. McGhee
Presbyter for Common Life
The Presbytery of Ohio Valley