He must increase, but I must decrease.
JOHN 3:30
People around the world instantly recognize Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch from the children’s TV show Sesame Street. But Caroll Spinney is not a well-known celebrity, even though he has brought both characters to life on the popular program since 1969. A skilled puppeteer, Spinney has been content to work behind the scenes.
I believe God calls every follower of Jesus to take a similar approach in making Him known to the world. John the Baptist told his listeners: “I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ . . . He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:28,30). John acknowledged that he was not the bridegroom, but only His friend (v.29).
Oswald Chambers reminds us: “Goodness and purity ought never to attract attention to themselves, they ought simply to be magnets to draw to Jesus Christ. A beautiful saint may be a hindrance if he does not present Jesus Christ but only what Christ has done for him; he will leave the impression—‘What a fine character that man is!’—that is not being a true friend of the Bridegroom; I am increasing all the time, He is not.”
Jesus the Savior is onstage. We must be behind the scenes. ~David C. McCasland
When you share the Lord with others,
See that He is on display;
For the world to see Him clearly,
We must not get in the way. —Sper
See that He is on display;
For the world to see Him clearly,
We must not get in the way. —Sper
He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.
2 CORINTHIANS 10:17
2 comments:
Zachary,
This is a wonderful devotion. It ties in exactly to a James Harriet story I read this afternoon. In it the veterinarian lets the credit of a cured dog pass on to another man, even though he knows that neither of them had anything to do with the natural healing of the animal. It did not matter who healed the animal as long as it was healed. In the same way, we are not always to be looking for credit. Like John, we are to turn people to Christ and give Him the credit for everything. He is the source of all things. I really enjoyed reading this post.
Elizabeth
Wow, what a great post! It was short, to the point, and you let the scripture and other Godly people speak through the quotes. I especailly like the final one. "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." Very good verse.
God bless!
~Nella
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