In the Gospel today, John the Baptist is confronted and questioned by priests, Levites and Pharisees. They were trying to figure out what John was up to, this “voice of one crying out in the desert.” John the Baptist had a message of preparation – get ready for that is to come. “Make straight the way of the Lod.” We all know how important preparation is. There’s a saying in America that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. John the Baptist wanted people to be ready for the message of Jesus, even though all of the preparation might not equal the impact of Jesus. I like to think I plan. I dutifully make a to-do list each morning, though I rarely cross everything off of it. Lately, I have been asking God to make my to-do list a prayer – to help guide me through my day of important work and the errands that must be done. One thing I do prioritize is time in the morning to pray and journal and write that to-do list. By preparing for my day, I can think about my tasks, but I can also think about the people I will encounter and remind myself to find God in all things, even those things that likely will make me irritated. Instead of planning for pricks of irritation, I can prepare for ways that I can be open and kind, to deflect taking my irritation out on people who are just doing their jobs.

It might seem that my 21st century to-do list is a far cry from John’s time in the desert and making straight the way of the Lord. I know that we can live out our faith in big ways and small ways. I know to find God in all things is often a challenge, but one I can plan and prepare for every day.