He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. John 3:30
Jesus said that John the Baptist that he was the greatest man ever born! How would you like that on your resume? Can you imagine that Jesus, the Lord was your numero uno on your resume?
John had his own disciples. He had rockstar status as a preacher. Thousands of folks followed him before Jesus came on the earthly scene. But when asked if he was the promised Messiah, his simple answer was NO! When asked of his disciples what they should do with this Jesus that is baptizing more than him, his simple answer was that Jesus is the Lamb of God, He has come to take away the sins of the world. To be certain that he was clearly understood, he said that he (John) was not worthy to tie Jesus’ sandals. And then the weightiest, most powerful statement was stated with great authority:
“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” JOHN 3
Every time that I read this passage, I am reminded that it is a blessing and a privilege to be a small part of the Divine’s plan to redeem this broken world. It isn’t a duty, it is pure joy. And then I start to think of the many ways that I might become less and He becomes more in my life. Ask yourself how you might be a part of lessening yourself and allowing the Lord to increase? Here are a few of mine:
- Consistently reading His Word.
- Constantly inviting the Lord to direct my decisions.
- Choosing to ask for wisdom rather than asking for God to bless my decisions.
- Take the “blessed are” statements in the Beatitudes and significantly let them drive my interactions with others.
- Look in the mirror with a passionate desire to allow the Lord to humble me and empty me of me.
- Seek opportunities to be at peace and create an atmosphere of peace.
- Live in the assurance that the Divine goes before me.
- Operate hour by hour in the courage and strength that He promises to infuse me with.
- To speak more openly and frequently about the things of God, and less about me.
There are hundreds of other ways to engage this world with less of me and more of Him. What might your list look like?
–AChuck
