Living in a me-first world is tough. At times it seems no one is following Jesus call to life except you. A picture of our culture can be found on an airplane. You’re in the middle seat and the other two passengers are taking up all the armrests. Or the guy in front of you reclines his seat back as far as it will go leaving your tray in your gut. In America, we live for ourselves. It’s a me-first culture.
But Jesus told us, “You must lose your life if you want to find it.” Life cannot be about you in Jesus’ upside down kingdom. John the Baptist had a driving motto and it’s one I’ve adopted, although I drop the ball every single week. John says in John 3:30, “Jesus must become greater and greater; I must become less and less.” That’s a kingdom heart and the same heart Jesus wants all his followers to possess.
Jesus actually pointed at John the Baptist in Matthew 11:11, saying there had never been anyone greater than John. Why? Because John’s heart was a kingdom heart. His attitude was about self last and others first, indeed the King of kings was in the priority position in his life. So what were the things in John’s life that give us a better understanding of what it means to follow the risen Savior?
First, John’s parents were sold out for God. They created a rich heritage within the home that lived out Kingdom mentality. They served others and God with their Temple service. They had done that their entire life. So, moms and dads, grandma and grandpa…you have the opportunity to predecide you will live for Jesus and your life will be centered on serving him. Make a decision, no matter where you are in your family life that your house will be centered on Jesus by servicing others, regularly interacting with a local faith group and making your house scream you love Jesus with decor and scripture on the walls.
Secondly, practice NOT being #1. John did. He says in John 1:26-27, “I’m not worthy of being the slave of Jesus nor untying this shoes. John was humble and did not seek to be known. His only desire was to make Jesus known at whatever the cost. So many of us seek the spotlight and what the applause. But those of us in life, when we get the applause, acknowledge Jesus during the recognition. God is the one who put you in that position so let the world know it’s not about you but about Jesus.
Finally, when you have doubt, take it to Jesus. That’s what John the Baptist did when he found himself in prison because he was speaking truth about King Herod and his wife Herodias. We don’t know how long John was in prison but it was long enough for him to start asking some questions. He was alone, isolated, tired, cold. In Luke 7:19-22, he is asking Jesus, “I think…I believe you’re the Messiah but in this moment, I’m not 100% sure.” It’s a good story for us to read.
Each of us have moments when things are dark, negative, and stormy. We can’t feel God or see him working in our life and we ask, “Are you real?” The story, your story, will not always turn out as you had planned. But in a be-last kingdom, we are called to trust the Savior and realize, it’s not about me. It’s about exalting Jesus and letting the world see our faith and trust in Jesus, especially during the valley moments of our life.
So Jesus reminds us in Matthew 10:39, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” So the challenge is to live the mantra of John, “Jesus must increase and I must decrease.” In this way, you will develop the Kingdom heart that says you belong to the Savior. Blessings on the journey.