July 4

Increase or Decrease?

They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues (Luke 20:46).

Scripture: Luke 20:45-47

Song: “O, to Be Like Thee”

“Excuse me, that’s my seat you’re sitting in!” Actually, the meeting was open seating, but I had learned long ago that disagreeing with Allen created more problems than it solved. And Allen did have seniority, so I relinquished my seat and moved to the back. Perhaps he had arrived first and then left his seat to attend to some business? More likely, though, he just wanted to sit in the front row, next to the staffing manager’s table.

Allen was a good, hard worker, but he craved recognition. Did he realize that every time he stepped in front of someone in line, interrupted a conversation, or uttered the last word on a matter, he was placing himself above everyone else? We don’t usually enjoy people like that, but he seemed to enjoy all the attention.

Although there’s nothing wrong with being noticed, why pursue it at the expense of others? In fact, it’s often better to fade into the background, allowing Christ to receive the acclaim for our ministries and personal accomplishments. A wise minister once told me that God could use us more if we sat in the backseat and let Him have the front. Even John the Baptist realized his need to decrease so Jesus could increase (John 3:30, KJV).

Dear Lord, every gift and talent comes from You. Yet all too often I enjoy the applause, taking the credit for my successes. Perhaps my witness would be more effective if people only saw Your Son shining through my efforts. In Christ I pray. Amen.