A Glimpse That Changes Everything

Weekday Posts
Written By Dean Collins

By Dean Collins

It's already happened. It's in the book — the good book, to be clear. Isaiah predicted it, and the first books of the New Testament scriptures confirm that John the Baptist was the one who prepared the way for Jesus’ coming. And it's true, he did. He fulfilled God's purpose for his life.

But what if that is our calling as well? What if our job was to prepare the way every day for the Lord to appear?

During this advent season, you will read devotionals and hear sermons about preparing your heart and mind to receive Jesus with fresh eyes and to celebrate his birth. And we also know that in this season, we get busy and often become distracted by our full schedules as we rush to finish up our Christmas shopping and attend a variety of holiday events and celebrations.

As creatures of habit, we go through our holiday routines and the pressing year-end responsibilities we have at work. It is not unusual to miss that even in our busyness we have an opportunity to prepare our hearts and minds to see and follow the Lord.

Today it strikes me that this preparation is vital for our growth as followers of Christ, not just for our sakes, but for others’. Every day, someone is watching us. It may be an employee, our children or grandchildren. It may our neighbor or a complete stranger. How we live our lives may very well prepare the way for someone who is watching us one to see the Lord. How we respond to a question, how we handle a difficult situation may clear a path for someone to walk toward the Lord. And if we aren’t mindful of who we are in Christ, our behavior or attitude may build a wall that blocks someone's view of discovering Jesus and experiencing his love.

Every person needs a Savior. And we have in us a need to worship. Sadly, the things we choose to depend on to save us and the things we tend to worship are often same things. We often choose to depend on financial success, fame, perfection, sports, family, or even our need to help others. Today, someone near you is looking for a savior. Someone near you has chosen to worship someone or something. What if today we lived lives that leveled a mountain that was in the way and prepared a view for someone to catch a glimpse of the Savior? That one glimpse of Jesus in your life might be all it takes to change someone's life for eternity.

Prepare the way of the Lord today.

Lord, I confess that many times I am a barrier to others seeing you. Soften my heart today to live and love in such a way that someone will see Jesus through my actions today. Amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Isaiah 40:28-31, 42:17, 43:10-11 ESV

Photo by Pexels
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Dean Collins

Pastor, campus minister, counselor, corporate employee, Fortune 500 consultant, college president—Dean brings a wide range of experiences and perspectives to his daily walk with God’s Word. 

In 1979 he founded Auburn Christian Fellowship, a nondenominational campus ministry that still thrives today. In 1989 he founded and became executive director for New Directions Counseling Center, a service that grew to include several locations and counselors. In 1996 he became vice president of human resources for the CheckFree Corporation (3,000 employees) till founding DC Consulting in 1999. He continues part-time service with that company, offering executive leadership coaching, organizational effectiveness advice, and help with optimizing business relationships.

His latest pursuit, president of Point University since 2006 (interim president 2006-2009), has seen the college grow in enrollment, curriculum, physical campus, and athletic offerings. He led the school’s 2012 name change and relocation from Atlanta Christian College, East Point, Georgia, to Point University in West Point, Georgia. Meanwhile, he serves as board member or active volunteer with several nonprofits addressing issues ranging from global immunization to local government and education. 

He lives in Lanett, Alabama, with his wife, Penny. He has four children (two married) and five grandchildren. He plays the guitar, likes to cook, and enjoys getting outdoors, often on a nearby golf course. 

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