Time To Modulate

April 10th.
I am beginning to feel more and more like John the Baptist.

John had a particular role to play in God’s plan and for a time he took his place on center stage in order to prepare the way for Jesus. For a time John had everyone’s attention, he was making a difference, he was gathering disciples and he even had the Pharisees coming to listen to his preaching.

For a time he was famous, but, then things changed. John’s role in God’s plan was played out and it was time for him to step aside and point to the one who was coming. I have no doubt that John knew his place. I believe he understood his part, but I have begun to suspect that John’s transition from center stage to supporting player wasn’t as easy or as seamless for him as it has always been presented.

In his definition for “transition” Webster uses the word “passage” which makes it sound like John was (and we are) on a journey of some sort and I believe the word captures what was (and is) happening. He was (and we are) on a journey. It is just that this journey is measured in relationships instead of in miles.

I am beginning to understand how hard it is to let go of something when you have spent a significant amount of time learning to care about what will soon be behind you. The only thing that would have made it tolerable for John (and for us) was his certainty that God was at work and the conviction that stepping aside was the best way for God’s plan to be worked out.

When we talk about transitions in music we use the word “modulation” which means a change from one key to another. The song doesn’t stop it just moves in a new direction and often times the movement brings new energy and excitement to the tune.

Let’s just say that it is time to modulate. I wonder if John was a singer.