“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
-John 3:30 (ESV)
John the Baptist spoke these words when his own followers were concerned that more people were going to Jesus instead of him. But John knew his role—he wasn’t the Savior; he was just the voice pointing to Him. And that’s our calling too.
So much of life pulls us toward self—self-promotion, self-preservation, self-importance. But John reminds us that the Christian life is about making Christ greater, not ourselves.
This isn’t about self-hatred; it’s about shifting our focus. When we let go of our own pride, fears, and desires for control, we make more room for Jesus to shape us. He increases in our thoughts, our actions, and our priorities.
Today, ask yourself: What in my life needs to decrease so that Christ can increase? Maybe it’s a desire for recognition, a sinful habit, or simply the distractions that keep you from drawing near to Him.
Pray for the Lord to help you step aside so that His glory shines through you. In the end, life isn’t about making much of ourselves—it’s about making much of Jesus.