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

We’ve all heard that God’s plans are more important than our own. And if you’re like me, you’ve nodded your head in agreement at the wisdom of those words. Yet when we encounter a situation in life where things don’t go according to our plans, we can often become devastated! 

John the Baptist’s disciples found themselves in a perplexing situation. They had been following an amazing prophet and man of God, only to see another Man rise up and take the spotlight off of John (John 3:26). Even though he had said a greater One would come (John 1:15), John’s disciples were confused and disappointed. 

So how did the prophet respond? Using the analogy of being the best man at a wedding, he lifted up the joy that’s based in the success of another, not personal fulfillment (John 3:29). Like the best man of a groom, a teacher of a student, or a parent of a child, he felt great joy in knowing that Jesus was being lifted up. John the Baptist said, “He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all” (John 3:31). 

In an age when selfishness rules, I so often forget about this kind of joy. It doesn’t focus on self, but on others and—especially—Christ. My peace is so often based solely on me, my circumstances, and my successes. But John the Baptist reminds me that the true source of joy for a believer is seeing Jesus lifted high and worshiped as our great King. 

It’s our joy to serve God and—as the psalmist wrote in Psalm 84:1-12—to declare, “I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10). Let’s find joy in Jesus as we lift Him high today! 

I am so uplifted by today’s devotion. When I woke today I felt The Lord say, find joy in your journey. My joy is found in Jesus! No matter what we are facing, He is greater, no matter the disappointment, He is greater, He is greater than I. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. He is my joy!

Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 

Today’s Reading is Psalms 94:19