John 3:29 ESV

“So this joy of mine has been made full.  He must increase.  I must decrease.  He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth.  He who comes from heaven is above all.

In the NIV, it says, “He must become greater, I must become less.”

So in other words, He must be the majority.  I must be the minority.

My prayer and petition is for the Lord to take me out of the equation.  That it would no longer be “about me.”  It’s our human response to consider ourselves, is it not?  But as followers of Jesus, friends, aren’t we called to something more than “us?”

Jesus was not concerned with his own needs and wants.  He was all about The Father.  He knew his mission and calling, and set out to fulfill it.  His heart became the heart of God.

So how do we, as flawed human beings, become the minority?  Because I know the tendency of my flesh to rise up and say, “But what about me?”

I asked the Lord this question as I was preparing this study.  That still, small voice answered my heart and said, “By yielding unto me.”  

I took a few moments to think about what this “yielding” looks like.  I am not a Bible scholar, nor am I a theologian.  This is simply my humble opinion…based on where my heart has been and where it is now.

When we “yield,” we allow God the right of way.  We slow down, take a deep breath and turn our attention back to Him.  We adjust our vision and lift our eyes to Jesus.  We un-clutch our clenched fists and let Him take those things we hold so tightly.

Yield-“to surrender or submit; to give up possession of claim or demand; to give up and so die.”

Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (italics mine)

Our lives, dear reader, are not about us.  We were not created for ourselves.  We were created to bear His image and light.  And so, we yield our desire for vengeance, justice, fairness, even our desire for what we want.  We let go of what we think is best for us and lay down what we prefer.  And this is dang hard.  I am my own worst enemy and I will get in the way every time.

Luke 9:23

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily.”

Daily, my friends.  We are called to a death and denial of ourselves every single day.  Yes, there will be days when we won’t get it right.  But this is the beauty of grace. The grace that sees past our flaws and short-comings.

Every sunrise brings the promise of new and more.  New mercy and more grace.

Oh, that He might be bigger in us.  So much bigger, that He is what people see when they look at us.  Bigger still, let His words be the ones we speak and may they settle on hearing ears around us.