“He must increase, but I must decrease,” John 3:30 ESV. Profound words from John the Baptist. He recognized that God had greatly used him for a time, but it was now time for him to decrease so Jesus could have full-stage. Sharon and I are again downsizing our home, a normal part of life as we age. The biggest surprise is how much stuff we continue to hold onto for no good reason. How much more this is true in our spiritual lives! We all hold on to unhealthy relationships, false dreams, old habits or even physical things that we keep around for inexplicable reasons. It’s time to dump the stuff! It’s time to give it away! It’s time to move into the future! “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit,” John 12:24 ESV. LORD, grant me the grace to lay down what I must that You may be glorified in me.
A serious pursuit of godliness requires an equally serious renunciation of worldliness. Too often, we measure spirituality with false scales. While being wisely selective with our public vices we are less so with our private attitudes and perspectives. In reality, it is the thoughts and intents of the heart where the greatest battles must be waged; our actions will ultimately align with the condition of our hearts. Lord God, You know me inside out, You are not fooled by human facades. Plow my heart with Your Word and Spirit and leave nothing unturned. Refresh my inward man that I may outwardly glorify You in all places at all times.
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