He Must Become Greater

I’ve always liked to be the center of attention. As a child, I wanted the undivided attention of the adults around me. I sought their validation based on my accomplishments and found their responses affected my confidence level. As I got older, I sought different ways to elevate myself and my status. I wanted to be known for the good things I was doing.

But Scripture reminds us in John 3:30, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” (NLT) That truth challenges the very mindset I was living in—one where my value came from being seen rather than serving the One who sees all.

Even after surrendering my life to Christ, the propensity to seek attention didn’t leave me, although it changed. With a new circle of friends and acquaintances, I saw the need to prove myself and to be known for things in my faith.

In my immature faith, I made what Jesus was doing in my life about me! I hadn’t fully grasped that I was part of God’s great plan—not the other way around. He was the one making the moves and putting His plan into action, and He invited me along.

As part of a discipleship program, we wrote our testimonies to share with others. Regretfully, my first written testimony was so me-centered that it was embarrassing! I had allowed my desire for self-validation and assurance of my abilities to overshadow the truth of God’s Word and what He’s done in my life! I made the testimony about Jesus Christ’s transformative power in my life about me rather than Him!

Not too long after, I saw a large sign with John 3:30 in a co-worker’s office. Initially, it struck me as an odd Scripture to display. In my mind, it wasn’t one of the well-known verses like John 3:16, Jeremiah 29:11, or Proverbs 3:5-6 that you typically see on display, and at first glance, I really didn’t understand the power of the verse.

I asked him about the verse, and he shared how he once was very self-focused, but his perspective shifted after encountering Christ’s love. As he shared the testimony of Jesus in his life with me, the Holy Spirit nudged my heart, and I saw how I, too, allowed myself to sit at the center of my life rather than stepping aside so the rightful King could take His place front and center.

I walked away from the conversation with a new desire to decrease my own self-inflated status so that Christ would be magnified instead.

Surrendering my life to Christ felt much easier than the ongoing process of yielding daily to His will rather than my own. Walking in humility with a heart fully devoted to Christ’s glory being magnified and not my own is not always easy. As Paul reminds us in Galatians 2:20, It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. Living for Christ means dying to self daily so that His presence defines who we are.

There’s no room on the throne of our hearts for both us and the King. Each day, we’re invited to step down so Jesus can reign fully.

Maybe you’ve also sensed that gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit—reminding you to surrender that need for recognition, control, or applause. As we learn to walk in humility, let’s ask God to help us keep Him front and center.

Heavenly Father, it’s so easy for us to put ourselves above You. We allow ourselves to be consumed with the world and our fleshly desires rather than focusing on You and Your will for our lives. In these moments, gently redirect our hearts to sit at Your feet humbly, seeking Your truth and will over our own. Amen.

When Christ is glorified, we find our true place—not center stage, but in His radiant shadow.

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.