"He must increase, but I must decrease."
- John 3:30

His heart was racing as he ran for the endzone.  

He had spent years in the waiting for this moment.  All that time preparing, all that hard work, all that separation...it was all paying off now.

This was the big game...and he was right in the thick of things.  His popularity was growing with every yard he inched closer to the game winning score.  The cheering of the crowd was deafening and the people were just a blur as he drew nearer to the goal line.  He could see through his face mask, the coach was jumping for joy on the sidelines...and the endzone got closer.  

Thirty yard line, twenty yard line, ten yard line, five yard line...he was only inches away now from being the center of everyone's attention.  Only inches away from fame and glory and success.  Only inches away from being elevated to superstar status.

But instead of running on into the endzone and celebrating the game winning touchdown, he did a really unusual thing.  He handed the ball off to someone else and stepped aside as they took center stage.  And he watched as someone else scored the winning touchdown.

Who would do such a thing? His name was John the Baptist.  

Oh, it wasn't a football field where John did the unthinkable, it was the countryside near Galilee.  And it wasn't a game, instead it was a ministry.  He wasn't winning the popularity of the fans, but rather the Jews who inhabitated the area.  John wasn't on the verge of signing an endorsement contract with Nike or Wheaties, but he was on the verge of  incredible fame among the people.

What was his take on the whole situation?  "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)  And with that, John "handed the ball off" to Jesus and disappeared from the limelight.  He put the King of Kings on center stage.  He worked the crowd into a frenzy and then said, "Here's your hero.  Here's the One you should be cheering for.  He's the one who deserves all this attention."  I believe he said it like this, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." 

John knew whose name should be in the headlines...and he gladly stepped aside to let Jesus have the front page.

You know, chances are you have had your share of successes in some area.  I know I have.  We have, at times, been rewarded for a job well done, received praise for thoughtfulness, perhaps applauded for our efforts.  Maybe we have received accolades for our skills and abilities, for our talents and gifts.  Or maybe we have been told what a great listener or encourager we are.  There have, no doubt, been times in our lives that we have been appreciated in some form, but I wonder, how often do we step aside and give the Lord the credit He deserves?  Who gets center stage during our times of success and victory?  Do we point the praise to Him?  

Something to think about today, eh?

When someone tells us we have done a good job or they appreciate our faithfulness, let's put the Lord on center stage.  When someone recognizes our talents or abilities, let's remember to step back and let Him shine.  When we are heralded as a "great writer" or a "wonderful teacher" or "super encourager" let's be quick to put Christ on the forefront.

Today, chances are, someone is going to appreciate you for just being you.  When they voice it...hand the ball off to Jesus! 
 
Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown
\o/ Praise Jesus!