Do you recognize him?

  

Just over a year ago, with the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her protection officer publicly shared a humorous story of her life.  

The queen was taking some time off with family at her vacation home in Balmore Castle.  While she was casually strolling with her officer, they bumped into a small group of American tourists.  Because the queen was very friendly, she started conversing with the tourists.  Clearly, they didn’t recognize her because sometime in their discussion, a tourist asked if she had ever met the queen.  She chuckled and said, “No, But this gentleman meets with her daily.”  The tourists became so obsessed with the officer that they even asked the queen if she would photograph them together.  She humbly did so, and they parted.  

The tourists were totally unaware of her presence.

Likewise, there are two groups of believers.

Ones that live entirely ignorant of a very present God.  

And still some who can testify of personal relationships and interactions they experience with him.  They, too, meet with him daily.  Their testimony inspires other believers to seek him for themselves.

This was at the heart of the message of one of the very first witnesses, John the Baptist.  

 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. (Jn. 1:19)

The religious leaders of that time sent messengers to John to investigate what he was about.  They came to John and said …

… who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”

John’s message was simple…

“I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness…

… “Among you stands one you do not know.” (vs.26)

I'm just a voice here to tell you someone exceptional is already present, but you’re not quite recognizing him. He is among you.  He is with you.  He wants you to experience his presence.