We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Andrea Johnson.
Bible Reading:
John 3:30
“He must increase, but I must decrease.“
Word:
I am reading Christine Caine’s Unstoppable, and in it, she talks about, “Running the race of our lives, receiving the baton of faith in sync with our team, the body of Christ.” The story found in John 3 is the perfect example of this race. John is running the race of his life, his calling, his assignment.
This assignment was to prepare the way of the Lord Jesus. One particular lesson found in Caine’s book that jumped out at me was the talk on “Saying goodbye to insecurity, to say hello to humility.” She explains the need to guard our hearts against insecurity, to not hinder anyone else from running their race on this Christian journey.
We have to be sensitive and acknowledge when we are too possessive of our role when we are in a place of worry if someone else will steal our thunder or outperform us somehow. We need to remember we are on the same team, the body of Christ.
Imagine if John gave a listening ear to those that brought complaints to him about “the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.” (John 3:26) Instead of falling into the trap of insecurity, he chose the pathway of humility. He decided upon the path free of pride or arrogance. He recognized his identity in God and did not think of himself as God.
John’s response was, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.” (John 3:27) John acted in humility and not self-aggrandizement; he did not promote himself as powerful or important; he said he was filled with joy at the Messiah’s success. John acknowledged that all that he was came from God, and everything was going according to God’s divine plan.
God must become greater and greater, and John must become less and less. Christine Caine says it like this “Remember, your identity is in Christ, not in what you do.” We must learn to celebrate when our assignment reaches beyond us and not think of ourselves as irreplaceable. We can not let pride creep in; we must say goodbye to insecurity and hello to humility.
Prayer:
God, help me keep and guard my heart with all vigilance and above all that I guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. Please help me to remember that every good and perfect gift is from above. Let me find my identity in you at all times! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Skillwork:
Really, take a look at your motives and fears. Do you fear that someone may somehow rise above what you are accomplishing for the body of Christ? Submit that feeling to God, realize we are on the same team, and we will all finish victoriously! God has given everyone an assignment – some plant, some water, God is making it all grow!
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