John 3:30

³⁰ He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

I just love the running community. This weekend we are celebrating the Beauregard Watermelon Festival here in Beauregard Parish. All the area runners come out in support of the Beauregard Christian Women’s Job Corp to run the local 5K. It is notorious for being hot, fast, and fun. This year did not disappoint.

We all love the competition and seeing who will place year after year; however, the goal is simply to finish which is an accomplishment in and of itself. After the award medals were placed around the winners’ necks and celebratory chatter died down, I couldn’t help but think about our Christian walk.

We spend our entire lives climbing the ladder of success in all aspects of our lives not just professionally. Our society teaches us to climb as high as we can. Some worldly philosophies would even support jostling your competition just to surpass him or her. Don’t get me wrong, I love races and winning medals, but when it comes to our walk with God, I want us to consider this verse in John that says, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”

As we elevate Christ, we become less important [pridefully speaking]. You see, it truly isn’t about you or me – are you shocked? Of course you’re not! Matthew 20:28 also says, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Yes, God incarnate came to serve others and to give his life for many who would spit on him, punch him, beat him, curse him, and nail him to a tree. Sadly, we are still doing that today. Even as believers, we abuse grace for recurrent sin. Instead of elevating Christ, we continue to lose focus on the prize – being a powerful witness. You can’t be a witness when you are too busy jostling people off your spiritual ladder.

I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to dig deep within your soul. Flip your ladder upside down. While the world is climbing a ladder that will rust and fade away, spend time working your way off the pride ladder. Let God change the rungs so when you step back on, you step on the rung of mercy, then grace, then peace, then patience, then kindness, then thankfulness. Before long, you are at the top…however, the world will see only Christ in you as you are elevated high like a bright light. Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world–like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” So I’m going to keep climbing but in the fruits of the Spirit and not flesh so that Jesus will become greater and greater, and I will become less and less.

Question: What do people see at the top of your ladder? Personal Pride or Christ Himself

Thankful,

Christian Armetta