Into the Water

“But the one who sent me to baptize with water told me…” — John 1:33

There’s something quietly profound in this verse. John the Baptist, a bold prophet preaching in the wilderness, built his entire ministry on one command, given by someone he doesn’t name in the moment. We assume it’s God, and rightly so, but the text offers no dramatic scene, no thunderous voice. Just a clear instruction… and one act of obedience.

Before he met Jesus, before he saw the Spirit descend, John stepped into the water in faith, proclaiming a truth he had not yet witnessed. He was told, “The one on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” That was it. No timeline. No confirmation … until the moment it happened.

Can you imagine? "How will I see a Spirit?" "What does it mean for it to remain?" The questions must have come. And yet, John kept baptizing. Day after day. He trusted the voice that had spoken, maybe even just once. Or maybe it was something he heard over and over … we simply do not know.

Then one day, Jesus appeared. And the Spirit descended like a dove—and remained.

Some may have dismissed it. A bird flying by. A moment over-spiritualized. But for John, it was the fulfillment of a promise. It was confirmation that he had heard right—and obeyed.

What if God has whispered something to you, and you're still in the waiting? What if your calling requires you to act before you fully understand?

John entered the water in obedience. And through one man’s obedience, the way was prepared for Jesus. Today, when we step into the waters of baptism—or maybe into any act of obedience—we echo that same trust.

We don’t always need signs and wonders. Sometimes, we just need to walk in what we’ve already heard.

Prayer:
Lord, help me trust the quiet voice You’ve already spoken. Teach me to walk in obedience, even when I don’t see the full picture. Like John, may I move forward in faith—believing that You will reveal Yourself in time. Amen.