JOHN THE BAPTIST GOT IT

John 3:30

Fame and popularity have a way of poisoning the well in people.  Ambition and success have a way of doing the same.  Wanting what is best does not necessarily mean wanting more.  It seems to all go back to the original deception from the serpent in the garden…”You will be like God”, even though you must disobey God to achieve that.  The Truth is I was created in the image of God and I am like Him already in who I already am.  There is no DOING necessary.  It is important to do what I do well and not do it for any other reason other than that’s what I do because that is who I am.

The ladder in Jacob’s dream was not for him to climb; it was for the angels to ascend and descend on.  It was access to the vision of the Lord, for God to speak to him, not a ladder of success for him to climb. (Genesis 28:10-17)

In the eyes of the world the people of God were not very successful, and that includes Jesus.  But God sees success differently.  His definition of success includes faithfulness, obedience, and steadfastness.  Those are the qualities I am to image to the world for they are the qualities of God Himself.  It is never about me but always about God in me.  My authentic self is never about myself but always about the I AM within me, the image of the One who created me.  John the Baptist understood that when he said,

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”