Matthew 3:3 Listening in the Wilderness

"The voice of one crying, 'In the wilderness make ready the way of the Presence.
      Make the paths straight.'"

Part of the mission of The Immanence Bible, Book of Matthew is to allow the reader to think a little less anthropomorphically while reading the story of Jesus.  One way to accomplish this mission is by translating KURIOS by a variety of words (as all English Bibles do).  The primary translation used here is "Presence."  It is this Presence that guides and leads us in our lives.

In the verse above, John joins with Isaiah in calling for a wilderness experience that makes way for the Presence.  Sometimes it takes a less familiar, more 'primitive' setting, for us to hear the inner voice.  And as we listen, we make ready the way for this Presence.  And then as we live our guidance, we are making the paths straight (even if they take a very winding way!). 

And sometimes it takes a different setting, in the area of Bible translation, to help us listen to the inward voice.  Enjoy reading of Immanence.