John 3:30 - He must become greater, I must become less.

I'm back! I'm terrible about being consistent with blogging. Sorry! However, this morning's quiet time has been awesome. I read Isaiah 66 and John 3. I'm starting to see so many connections in the Bible. I've never spent much time in the book of Isaiah, but I've come to the conclusion that it might be the most beatifully written text of all time!! God is so very descriptive in His words...He tries to make sure that we truly understand the magnitude of what He wants us to know.

In a nutshell, in Isaiah 66, God tells us to be faithful to him - that the reward is greater than anything we can imagine and He reminds us that He is just and will bring down His judgement on those who come against Him. Isaiah 66:2 says, "there is one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." We are to fear Him and realize that our lives are nothing without God as the center. Later in the chapter, we are told that if we suffer or are ridiculed for His sake, or if we are going through trials, our pain has a purpose. We shouldn't dwell on those who hurt us or on the negative aspects of life because God will give us comfort. God will provide refuge in our storms. God compares it with the joy a woman has holding her newborn child after going through the intense (OH MY the intense) labor pains and childbirth. In the end, God will make everything right.

As a side note, I literally LOL'd at this - as Barry and I found out a few days ago that I'm pregnant with our third child! I didn't need a reminder so soon of the pain it'll take to get this little one here...HAHAHA. However, there is nothing - NOTHING - that can compare with the moments I first saw my other two children. Those images are forever etched in my mind and the pain is eventually forgotten because of the overwhelming love and joy that replaces it.

So, life is hard. It's meant to be hard. However, we are to do all we can to focus our attention on God and what we are here to do - spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people. I loved how our campus pastor, Steve, taught us about being a reflection of Jesus yesterday. I admit that this humbled me and made me think about what I can do or say in my life to let Christ show through me. It is our one main calling in life - if you aren't telling people about the awesome love, grace, and mercy of Jesus, then the life you've been given has been wasted.

I read John 3 and while John 3:16 is the cornerstone of my faith and one of the most beloved verses to me, I felt my focus being placed on John 3:30 - "He must become greater, I must become less." Pride is a sin that I struggle with often...pride in my intelligence, in my own judgement. Oh, how wrong that is!!! God has a purpose for me, a direction He wants me to take so that He can bless me and I get in my own way sometimes. I admit as I'm writing this that I feel so very ashamed that I don't seek His will in ALL things. I stumble and fail so often because of this. That one verse is so powerful and I'm crying because I'm overwhelmed at the power of the Lord. Oh God, be more than me! Forgive me of my pride and help me put You, my precious Heavenly Father, above me, for you are HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, JUST, MERCIFUL, LOVING, AND GRACIOUS!! ALL MY PRAISE BE TO YOU!