Seven-Day Practical Faith Blog: Decrease to Increase

John the Baptist had his run. He was called to proclaim the arrival of the Messiah. Once Jesus had begun his ministry, John knew it was time to step aside, especially because people were too focused on him rather than on Jesus.

So John told his disciples and a gathering of others in the Gospel of John 3:28-30:

"You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”

When we think about it, isn't this a journey we must all take to truly become followers of Jesus? Must we not decrease so Jesus can increase?

Our desires, our decisions, our priorities that serve ourselves must reduce. Instead, our priorities should focus to align with Jesus. Our sense of self must remain strong as a child of God, but our obedience must increase. Christ's instructions may mean we must cut back on what we want to do to favor what Jesus wants us to do.

I have found this to be true in my life over the last few years. I restrain myself more. I sacrifice more of my opinions for Jesus's truths. I find that as Jesus increases within me, I gain more of a desire to know more about him and his will for my life. I also gain more peace and joy.

Not to say I have perfected myself - oh, no! I'm simply saying that I find it true that I decrease whenever I allow Jesus to increase in my life. And I need to do much more decreasing so others can see more of Jesus in me.

Join me in this practical faith journey of wrestling with ourselves. Let us evaluate the many ways we put ourselves first. Let us learn how to allow Jesus to take over more of our lives. As we do, our pettiness, our shortsightedness, and our impulses will begin to be crowded out by something richer, more lovely, and more lasting.

The "Misfits of Christmas" Advent video study is now exclusively available at my online store. So is the accompanying study guide. Learn more about the study, see a trailer video, and even watch the first lesson for free by visiting the Misfits page on my web page. See https://www.ceciltaylorministries.com/the-misfits-of-christmas.