Just Like Scottie Pippen

There is purpose in supporting others.

As I drove to church recently on a Sunday morning, I looked in my front seat making sure I had everything. I was in a rush and already late. Everything I needed was there: phone, mask, and purse. Something was just not quite right. The street signs were blurry. In fact, I realized everything looked blurry. I heard myself say out loud, “you forgot to put your contacts in.” I kept driving to church. I could still see, but not as clearly as when I have my contacts in. I knew I could get to my destination. I also knew that after church I was meeting a friend for lunch at a restaurant I had never been too. GPS and looking for street signs would be needed. That would be more of a challenge without the support of my contacts.

As I continued to drive, I thought about purpose. God created each of us with a purpose strategic to His kingdom. I relate to John the Baptist. I have been a support role most of my life: to my sister and her family, in ministry, career, and as a cheerleader and encourager to my friends and their dreams. I know it is part of my life’s purpose. I have been in the production booth supporting those on stage and calling the cues behind the scenes. Being a supporting role is exciting and fun. Don’t get me wrong, I love the spotlight as well, and have had spotlight moments. However, it’s important to know that supporting roles are strategic to the overall vision. When we miss our purpose, we can become insecure and confused. Life can look blurry.

John the Baptist knew his purpose, his calling. He also knew who he was not. Religious leaders questioned him on his identity. He didn’t have a driver’s license, a social security card, or an employee badge to show proof of who he was. “Are you the Messiah, the Christ?” The religious leaders asked. John the Baptist knew who God created him to be. He knew his life’s purpose was to pave the way, roll out the red carpet, and clear the path for Jesus, the Messiah. John the Baptist was secure in his identity. He knew his role in history was to be a support. John the Baptist was the Scottie Pippen to Jesus, the Michael Jordan.

Even when John the Baptist’s disciples questioned him on Jesus baptizing and “all coming to him,” John the Baptist humbled himself. He had the opportunity to make himself look good, maybe even better than Jesus, in front of those who followed him. Instead he again stated that he was not the Christ, but was sent before him.

As John the Baptist humbled himself, Jesus bragged on him. Jesus told everyone how John the Baptist wasn’t trying to force himself into the spotlight. Instead he knew he was the supporting role for Jesus. Jesus was the star of the show.

If John the Baptist did not know how important his supporting role was to the kingdom of God, he would have missed his purpose and who God created him to be. When we know our identity in Jesus Christ as children of God; our purpose develops naturally and we can see clearly.

Reflection

1. Describe a time when you needed support and asked for it. What was the outcome?

2. Do you enjoy being the star of the show or the supporting role? Why?

3. In this season, where do you need support?

Goals

What are some practical tasks you can do to support your family and friends?

Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ’Make straight the way for the Lord.’” (John 1:19-23 NIV)