He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30 KJV
In our lifetime, we all can find ourselves focusing on personal successes, or on our many worries and concerns.
A focus that puts us in a position where we forget that we have greater things to think about.
That rather than things of the world, we should put our thoughts on how we have been blessed to be successful.
How all our worries and concerns are already being taken care of.
Our blessings and care come from the Lord.
He came, bled, and died, so we could live a life full of success and without worry.
That by following His lead we can accomplish any goals He sets before us.
Goals that give Him the honor and the glory.
We wouldn’t be where we are without His love and care.
Recognizing that it is not what we have done or gone through that has brought us this far, but what He has done and gone through to show His love for us that has kept us.
John knew what this meant.
He wasn’t focused on himself, but satisfied with the place and work assigned him.
He wasn’t trying to be recognized, just wanted to complete his assignment.
The fact that with all that he had accomplished and gone through; he still knew who it was that truly deserved to get the recognition.
Even when the people were trying to give him the honor, he was quick to point out that nothing that he did should be given praise.
He didn’t want the recognition.
That is why he told the people to look-up when he saw Jesus coming.
Telling them that here, “cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me” (John 1:29).
He wanted to make sure Jesus was the One they were looking at.
He politely told the people that Jesus was the only reason he was there to baptize them with water. That His revealing was to be the focus (John 1:31).
He knew that Jesus would be the one who increased in honor and influence. That peace would abound to those who followed.
The one that should get all the praise.
When the disciples came back and reported to him about the many followers Jesus had, John said, “Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him (John 3:28).
That “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
May the primary focus in our lifetime be one that has Jesus at the top of our list.
Living and loving Him with our whole heart.
All that we achieve is nothing without the love and care He has for us.
Give Him honor and praise for all He has done and doing in our lives.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, we may be good at the job we do, but John truly understood what it meant to allow You to increase in honor and influence. To not be centered on us, our needs, or our wants. He didn’t let the people change his thinking when they tried to give him the recognition but was focused on letting them know that You came down from Heaven while we were still deep in our sins. Paving the way for us to live a better life. Let us remember that everything we do is to be for Your glory. Not for us to take credit for anything. Making sure that You receive all the recognition. It is about all that You are doing for and in our lives. Thank You for all You have done.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen