Devotion 4/9, Be His messenger, not the message

He must become greater; I must become less.
John 3:30

John the Baptist said these words so that no one would misunderstand but would fully grasp that his ministry was all about furthering the gospel of Jesus Christ, not about exalting himself. He was just a messenger, not the message!
This is still true for every child of God today. Our lives are not all about us, our lives should be about Jesus, with Him at the center of every aspect of our day. We are to use the gifts and talents that He has given us to point people to Christ and to tell and show people the good news of our wonderful Lord and Savior. All the while knowing that we can only do so through His power, His grace, and His mercy!

This ultimate formula for greatness did not take many words for John the Baptist to articulate.  Paul told the Corinthians the Spirit was transforming them to become like Jesus with ever-increasing likeness as they pursued Jesus as Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18). Most importantly, the goal of any of his faithful followers, his disciples, should be to become like him, their Teacher and Lord (Luke 6:40). So, maybe this is the essential formula for our lives, that Jesus must become greater in us.

Dear Father in heaven, in my heart, and in my life, may Jesus become more significant and I become less because I know less of me, and more of Jesus living through me will be far more than I could ever be without him! In Jesus’ name, I ask this. Amen.