INCREASE AND DECREASE

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

One of my favorite authors is Isobel Kuhn. According to what I can find on the internet, I’ve read everything she has written that is available which means I’m probably a little too familiar with shipping prices on out of print books sold by someone in Australia….but hey, we all have issues! The thing about Kuhn is her laser focus on spiritual realities and the need people have for Jesus. And the testimony that God displayed through her life in times of trials is usually enough to remind me that I truly, truly do not have any problems at all. At least not while I have things like food, air conditioning, and indoor plumbing available! When commenting on this verse, Kuhn said “HE was a burning and a shining light”-that was spoken of one who said, ‘I must decrease, but He must increase.’ It is not pleasant to have decrease, but we cannot burn or shine without decreasing. There can be no light unless something is spent; it costs to shine.” What a convicting perspective for a guy who is surprised when “shining” costs me something. Why am I surprised? Who knows! It’s idiotic that I would be shocked when someone responds to truth with teeth, or a troll online says something stupid. All I can conclude is that I must think that I deserve increase sometimes, and God is good to help put that part of my flesh to death. Certainly I must decrease, and certainly that will cost me something. But also how certainly must He increase? I’m convinced that the highest possible honor and privilege is to be “spent” for the increase of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Joe Ensley