Standing Alone (ADVENT-URE DAY 10)

Welcome into Day 10 of our 25-Day Faith Radio Christmas Advent-ure, exploring the characters of the Christmas narrative and what they have to teach us.  Today, we look at John the Baptist.  He was a man whose presence and purpose were prophesied in Luke chapter 1.  It was said in that chapter that he would come in the spirit and power of Elijah. He was faithful to proclaim the coming of Messiah to a world who needed redemption. And, in John chapter 1 (ESV), we see that John announced Jesus - personally.
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me. ’
31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel. ”

John the Baptist, who leaped in his mother's womb when Mary, carrying Jesus, came to visit his mother, was bold to proclaim the truth - as we should be - and he did it in a spirit of humility and submission before God, even stating in John 3 that "He must increase, but I must decrease."  He was a man who stood alone, if you will, standing on truth.

The nation of Poland is standing against the winds of change in the European Union, standing against the imposition of forced recognition of so-called "same sex marriage." Worthy News reports:

Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki says his country “will not succumb to the terror of rainbow rulings” after the European Union’s highest court ruled that Poland and other member states that ban same-sex marriages must recognize such partnerships if they were “lawfully concluded in another member state.”

The office of the President stated: “There is a very high risk that this is a very dangerous precedent that will seek to impose rainbow marriages on Poles … which will completely destroy the family..."

The article noted that recently "the European Court of Justice (ECJ)...ordered nations with constitutional bans on same-sex marriage to recognize such unions when contracted abroad."  This order was described as "one of the most far-reaching in recent years," and the news story said that it "intensified ideological tensions already straining relations between Brussels and conservative-led Central European governments."

The nation actually faces fines if it doesn't comply, and there's even apparently internal conflict within the Polish government, with the justice minister saying the new rule will be implemented, while the President says it is an "overreach."   And, its not the first such ruling from the Court against Poland - Worthy News reported: "the European Court of Human Rights said Warsaw violated the European Convention on Human Rights by banning abortions based on fetal disability."

And, other countries have expressed concern regarding what they view as micro-management by the European Union and this court specifically.  Worthy News also noted:

The ECJ’s marriage ruling is expected to ripple across the region.

Hungary and Slovakia, which also define marriage as between a man and a woman in their constitutions, could face similar legal battles. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s right-wing government frequently accuses Brussels of seeking to “reshape society without democratic mandate.”

The nation of Poland, and seemingly other European nations, have challenges ahead as they attempt to reject the initiatives of the European Union.  And, their government leaders' stands on same sex marriage, abortion, and even immigration policy, which some have characterized as being dangerously out of control, will no doubt yield punitive responses.

There is often a price of making a stand.  At times, it may even involve standing alone. But, we can be joyful and at peace in our hearts, knowing that we have obeyed the Lord. John the Baptist went before Jesus - He prepared the hearts of the people for the presence of Jesus.  He showed the people the ways of God.  And, as we know, he ran afoul of the ruler of that region, and eventually was imprisoned and beheaded.  

During this Christmas season, we can be inspired by the example of John the Baptist - his role was so important and is a key part of the Christmas narrative.  He was an example of humility, of dependence on God, and of the expression of the power of God.  When we humble ourselves, we can experience God's power and strength working through us.