He must increase, but I must decrease

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

Who gets the credit for the good in your life? For your accomplishments? Now, who gets the blame when things go wrong or don’t work out as planned? If we’re all honest here, most of us will say that we take credit for things that we didn’t accomplish on our own and we blame others for things that we had a hand in.

John the baptizer is a unique example in true humility. From the way he dressed in rags and lived in the wilderness, to the way he spoke of himself, he offers of view of humility that few could ever live up to. Not being able to reach his level does not mean, however, that we should ignore it. 

John had grown quite a following of his own through his message of repentance. Considered the last Prophet, he served to usher in the time of the Messiah’s earthly ministry. John recognized his role, to make the path clear for the King, and when the time came, he stepped aside, he stepped out of the spotlight so it could shine on the One who belonged there.

He was known to let people know that he was not the Light, not the Messiah, and that he was unfit to untie the sandal of the Messiah. I wonder how many of us, if given a successful ministry or business, would step aside for the Christ so that He could be revealed. How many of us would decrease so that He could increase? 

This is not a rebuke, it’s a call to reflect. There is likely some area of your life where you could be giving credit and glory to God so that He and His works may be made known.