6 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John 3:30 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Far too many of us struggle with insecurity. It shows up in a lot of different ways:
- We want others to know who we know, what we’ve done, or any number of other things that we hope will impress them.
- We find it difficult to celebrate when others have an experience that we didn’t have (they got a promotion at work; they received a prestigious award; they went on a wonderful vacation; etc.)
On and on we could go to describe scenarios that make it clear that far too many of us are insecure. We want to feel valued and we want others to see that value.
This also plays out in our relationship with King Jesus. How many times has He done something wonderful in our lives or our churches … and then we claim credit for it. Maybe He used you to lead a successful ministry in your church and you took credit for it rather than giving the credit to Jesus. Or someone came to you and told you how much your life has inspired them to take their walk with Jesus seriously and you took all the credit rather than pointing to Jesus.
It is against this backdrop of our insecurities that we read of a situation in which jealousy and insecurity abounded. John the Baptist had a thriving ministry. Hundreds and hundreds of people came to him to listen to his teaching and experience his baptism. John’s disciples would have loved being on the “inside” of such a thriving ministry.
Yet, when Jesus came onto the scene, things began to change. Many of the people who once came to listen to John were leaving and spending time with Jesus. Listen as John’s disciples reported this to him:
John 3:26 (CSB): “So they came to John and told him, ‘Rabbi, the one you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing—and everyone is going to him.’”
Those were words of jealousy and insecurity. John’s disciples wanted to be a part of something that made them feel good about themselves. This turn of events was heading in the wrong direction. They wanted to know what their teacher was going to do about it.
Would John demonstrate insecurity? Would he make adjustments to shore up his previous successes?
Nope! Instead, he saw God’s hand in it. He recognized that his previous success was not an end in itself. It was for the purpose of preparing people’s hearts to find their joy in Jesus.
John 3:30 (CSB): “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
So, what about you, friend? Do you struggle with insecurity? Specifically, do you claim credit for something that God has done? Or are you quick to point out that you could do nothing if it weren’t for the Lord?
May we live our lives content to say of Jesus: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
* * * * * * * * * *
Lord Jesus, I certainly have my struggles with insecurity. Sometimes, those feelings tempt me to take credit for things You have done. Please help me to be like John. Help me to be content to seek first Your Kingdom and not my own. Help me to work for Your fame, not for my own. And help me to see myself as simply a willingly, grateful servant who gets to serve You in this life and then experience the joys of my reward in Heaven one day. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 