That He May Increase

This can be one of the most difficult parts of our Christian journey—to let go of control and trust that God's plans are greater than ours. We often live in a culture that celebrates self-importance, personal achievements, and ambition. While there's nothing wrong with pursuing excellence, we must remember that our lives are ultimately about glorifying God. For Christ to increase, we must lay down our worldly desires and allow God to reshape our priorities. 

I often struggle with yielding my desires and will to God. As a human, I want to be in control—over my children, my career, and even the future. The more I tried to control, the more frustrated I became. Gradually, I prayed for God to help me, and while I'm not there yet, I am making progress. 

The apostle Paul embodies this idea well. He stated, "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). To decrease ourselves means we let the old self—our pride, selfish ambitions, and self-sufficiency—die so that the life of Christ may flourish in us. 

Practical Reflections

• Surrender Your Plans: Ask yourself, are you willing to allow God to increase in every area of your life? Consider the areas where you still desire control. Surrender those areas to Him today and trust in His goodness.

• Daily Denial of Self: One practical way of decreasing is through daily denial of our selfish desires. Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). Start small—perhaps by denying a habit that draws your attention away from God, like spending too much time on social media or prioritizing worldly pursuits over spiritual growth.

• Allow God to Direct Your Desires: Instead of striving for your ambitions in your own strength, let God guide your desires. Pray about your goals and allow God to shape them according to His will. Your dreams may not necessarily change, but the motives behind them will become about glorifying God instead of self-promotion.

Closing Thoughts

Living a life where God increases and we decrease is not about losing who we are. It is about becoming more of what God intends for us. It means living beyond the limited scope of our own ambitions and being part of something eternal. As we learn to let go of our need to control and our desire for recognition, we allow Christ to shine brightly in our lives. We can trust that, as He increases, our lives will become testimonies that point others to Him.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that my life is about You, not me. Help me decrease so that You may increase in me. Teach me to surrender my desires, my plans, and my ambitions to You. May my life reflect Your glory, and may others see You through me. Guide my steps, fill me with Your Spirit, and let my life be a testimony of Your greatness. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.