Decrease into His Purpose
He must become greater; I must become less. (John 3:30, NIV)
John’s disciples told him that more and more people were going to Jesus to be baptized. They worried that Jesus was taking their teacher’s popularity. But John, with joy, said, “He must become greater; I must become less,” because John knew his own place: “I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.”
Oswald Chambers said, “If you become indispensable to others, you have then gotten out of God’s line.” This is a good reminder to me.
When friends around me face difficulties, out of sympathy and love, I’m willing to pray for them, asking the Lord to help them out of their struggles. I’m also willing to offer some help, be it time or financial aid.
Helping people is good. But slowly, I’ve also discovered some problems within it.
After helping friends multiple times, they still couldn’t get out of their difficulties, with seemingly no hope at all. My help only temporarily delays the problems. Before long, the same problems would return. Sometimes, I would get the illusion of “being able to solve anything” and a sense of vanity.
Facing such slightly complex requests for help, I should think more deeply about the root of the difficulty, rather than offering “simple, quick” help each time.
I should also pray, asking Jesus to lead my friends to seek Jesus, repent, and be renewed in their hardships, rather than just praying the easy, shortcut prayer, “Lord, help my friends quickly get out of their difficulties.” Perhaps God uses such difficulties to change a person. In reality, God often changes people through hardships.
We should bring people to Jesus, let them know and experience Him, and forget about me; rather than bringing them to me, where they would end up being grateful to me and feeding my pride.
Thank God for:
My daughter felt unwell in class, ran a fever. The school nurse examined her thoroughly, and each teacher showed caring concern. Even a teacher we didn’t know yet exchanged a word with her, offering comfort and blessings. Thank God for leading us to this school and thank the teachers for their love.
WD encountered an unfair situation, but after some indignation, the team handed it over to God, and also prayed for the offender. Thank God for guiding us.
Honestly, can’t think of any other special thanks right now.