I like the back seat

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

John the Baptist was talking about his relationship with Jesus; John was making it clear to his disciples that he would not accept the elevated stature they wanted to thrust upon him. John even went as far as to say, 27 “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.” John knew and understood his purpose, God’s will, for his life; he was to prepare the way for Christ; to proclaim that the One is coming that has the power to forgive sins. John had no problem taking a “back seat” with his ministry, pride never seemed to be an issue at all with John the Baptist. Likely his humble spirit is why Jesus said in Matthew 11:11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” No greater compliment has ever been paid to anyone that walked the earth; and it was paid to one of the most humble who did.

These words in John’s gospel should apply to our lives daily. We should die to ourselves a little more each day in a world that teaches “self” more each day. We should go against the world and seek heavenly wisdom through prayer and God’s Word. The more time we spend there the more He transforms us into the image of his Son. Your goal for life, your goal for today, should be less of you and more of Him than yesterday. That desire, that humble spirit is where God does that work in you. It is not by building your resume of Christian work in any way. It is not your church attendance record, your good deeds account, or even your charitable giving amount. God seeks your humble heart; he knows your heart and the reason you do everything you do.

The little time that I have preached, my prayer is always been for less of me and more of Him. There have been weeks that I was blessed by countless hours of preparation, and weeks of only an hour’s preparation. That is a battle of the mind I cannot articulate. Keep your spirit humble and seeking the Lord on a daily basis. He will do a work you cannot, and you will be eternally blessed for it.