Becoming Less, Finding More

Becoming Less, Finding More…

This single verse, “He must become greater; I must become less,” from John’s Gospel, chapter three, verse thirty, carries a profound and often challenging truth. John the Baptist, a powerful voice crying out in the wilderness, understood the fleeting nature of his own role.

He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30

He recognized that his purpose was to prepare the way for the Messiah, for Jesus. As Jesus’ ministry began to flourish, John’s influence naturally began to recede. Instead of clinging to his former prominence, John embraced this shift with humility and joy.

Looking deeper, this verse isn’t just about one person stepping aside for another in a temporal sense. It speaks to a fundamental posture of the heart for all who follow Christ. It calls us to a continuous process of self-effacement, not out of self-hatred, but out of a deep recognition of who Jesus is and the immensity of His glory.

“I must become less” isn’t about diminishing our inherent worth as individuals created in God’s image. Rather, it’s about willingly surrendering our ego, our need for control, our desire for recognition, so that Christ can take center stage in our lives. It’s about shifting the focus from our own agendas, our own strengths, and our own accomplishments to the surpassing greatness of Jesus.

This can be a daily, even moment-by-moment struggle. Our human nature often pulls us towards self-promotion and the desire to be seen and heard. Yet, the path to true fulfillment lies in releasing that grip and allowing Christ to increase within us. As we surrender our will, our ambitions, and our very selves to Him, we create space for His love, His power, and His purpose to work through us more fully.

This isn’t a call to passivity but rather to a radical reorientation. When we become less concerned with our own status and more concerned with magnifying Christ, we become more effective instruments in His hands. Our lives become less about our own limited capabilities and more about the limitless potential of God working through us.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the powerful example of John the Baptist, who so willingly stepped aside for Your Son. We confess that we often struggle with the desire for recognition and the fear of becoming less. Grant us the grace, Lord, to embrace this truth in our own lives. Help us to daily surrender our egos, our ambitions, and our need for control, so that Christ may become greater in our hearts and through our actions. Fill us with Your humility and Your joy as we decrease, knowing that in Christ’s increase, we find true life and purpose. Amen.

The nail that sticks out gets hammered down. When viewed through the lens of Christian humility, this can remind us that our ultimate aim is not to stand out for our own glory, but to blend into the body of Christ, allowing His light to shine through us collectively.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always

Ed  🙏🏼