The Man Who Finds Fulfillment

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” — John 1:19-23

John says nothing about the history of John the Baptist, which is not relevant to the story he is telling. Most people in his day already knew who he was. He was Jesus's cousin, born just six months before him, and was from a lineage of priests. He spent most of his life wandering in the desert until it was time for him to launch his ministry and mission. But when this moment finally came, when learned that John knew exactly who he was and what he was supposed to do. His identity and mission fulfilled a 700-year-old prophecy found in Isaiah.

I know this is a unique case, but something powerful happens when a man discovers his identity and mission. The Bible teaches that every man, not just John the Baptist, is designed by God for a unique mission and purpose. John the Baptist wasn't the only one. John, who wrote this book, had a special mission and purpose. Jesus did too. As did every testimony we will hear in this book. And men who know this and live in it are powerful.

But many men struggle to find this. Men are reading this right now who are unfulfilled. This can be a disturbing experience because no man wants to live an unfulfilled life. But men who submit their identity and mission to Jesus discover next-level fulfillment. This is because true satisfaction is found not in living out our design for our purposes but in living out God's design of us for his purposes. And men who align their identity, gifts, skills, and talents with God's design discover more lifelong fulfillment than other men.

This is John the Baptist. He knows his identity. He was born into a priestly order. And he knows he has a teaching and preaching gift and that he has to use it, and there is a mission for it. But he uses his gift not to bring attention to his name but to bring attention to Jesus's name. And thus, John the Baptist is the fulfillment of a 700-year-old prophecy who dies a very fulfilled man who did what he was called to do — prepared the way for the Lord.

How about you? Are you living out God's identity and purpose through you? If not, take those gifts, skills, and talents and leverage them for kingdom impact. Do something today that doesn't benefit you at all today. Do something that benefits God alone, and you will discover true fulfillment.

ASK THIS: Are you fulfilled?

DO THIS: Seek God's identity in you and live on his mission.

PRAY THIS: God, show me my identity and mission.

PLAY THIS: Whatever Your Plan Is.