What does it mean to be a child of God? We use the phrase so often, but the New Testament meaning might surprise us. One is not born a child of God but becomes one through faith and love. In a sense, it is like being born a second time, but this time spiritually rather than physically. John assures us that we are meant to be just like Jesus, and we begin now, in this life. We purify ourselves of all that is not godly by the constant practice of self-giving love. It takes effort on our part - we do not just sit back and enjoy the free ride. Every day we continue the process of molding and shaping our soul into the image of the one who saves us - Jesus.

John the Baptist spent his whole life witnessing to one whom he did not know and had never seen. But he felt and sensed his constant presence and looked constantly for signs of his approach. Finally, he saw the dove alighting on Jesus and knew that his quest and waiting were over. We might be discouraged at times and wonder where Jesus is. Our prayer might express a longing for a face to face meeting with him. We can be guided by John's life - we sense and feel the loving and encouraging presence of Jesus even if we cannot see him physically. We can also look for signs of his presence in our own lives and in the lives of others. Jesus usually leaves footprints and fingerprints for us to gaze at! Just as John the Baptist saw, we too shall see, with the clarity that Jesus is truly the Lamb of God who takes away our sins and our spiritual blindness.