“A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” — Isaiah 40:3
John the Baptist prepared the way for the coming Messiah, Jesus. He preached a message of God’s Kingdom and repentance, tilling the soil of men’s hearts that they might recognize the coming King. The Path Carver also preaches the Kingdom and repentance and prepares the way for the ambassadors of Christ. He loves to explore new places and does not avoid a challenge; in fact he is attracted to a challenge. He finds enjoyment in the road less travelled and loves to make the way easier for those who follow behind them. While the exploration of old has died out, there are few Saharas to traverse or jungle rivers to navigate, we need men to cut a path into foreign lands and cultures that Jesus might come in power.
The Path Carver pioneers the un-pioneered. Still today, there are countries and people groups, who have yet to hear the Good News let alone meet a Christian. Making inroads into confusing cultures and challenging lands, the Path Carver is able to forge trusted relationships with locals, to develop systems for setting up life, and to make paths (figurative and sometimes literal ones) into the communities of the least reached, least engaged people of the earth. He may join an existing team and perform the hard work of extending their reach into new cities or new networks of people. The Path Carver’s initial impact in the lives of locals may be small, John the Baptist only had a small band of disciples, but he makes easier the way for those who follow after him.
If you love to operate on the cutting edge or explore the new, you may be a Path Carver. To those who would go: find joy in the hardship, serve in glad humility, and make the paths straight for the Spirit of God and the messengers of Christ!
