Just a Bit of My Own, Please

For it is not so much of our time and so much of our attention that God demands; it is not even all our time and all our attention; it is ourselves. For each of us the Baptist’s words are true: “He must increase, and I decrease.” He will be infinitely merciful to our repeated failures; I know no promise that He will accept a deliberate compromise. For He has, in the last resort, nothing to give us but Himself; and He can give that only insofar as our self-affirming will retires and makes room for Him in our souls. Let us make up our minds to it; there will be nothing “of our own” left over to live on, no “ordinary” life. I do not mean that each of us will necessarily be called to be a martyr or even an ascetic. That’s as may be. For some (nobody knows which) the Christian life will include much leisure, many occupations we naturally like. But these will be received from God’s hands. In a perfect Christian they would be as much part of his “religion,” his “service,” as his hardest duties, and his feasts would be as Christian as his fasts. What cannot be admitted—what must exist only as an undefeated but daily resisted enemy—is the idea of something that is “our own,” some area in which we are to be “out of school,” on which God has no claim.” —C. S. Lewis, Daily Readings from His Classic Works

In John 3:30, John the Baptist declares, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” These few words carry profound depth, revealing a heart fully surrendered to God’s purpose. John knew his role was not to seek personal recognition, but to prepare the way for Jesus. This statement is a beautiful picture of humility—one that invites us to examine our own motives and desires. Are we seeking to make Jesus known, or ourselves?

As we grow in faith, this verse becomes a guiding principle: Christ should take the central place in our thoughts, actions, and identity. When we decrease—setting aside pride, ego, and self-promotion—we make room for the love, power, and presence of Jesus to shine more clearly through us. It’s not about thinking less of ourselves, but thinking more of Him. —DH