Greater than I

One of the things I love about being is that we get to move towards being better and better at the things we enjoy. In fact, I imagine it's in some of the Western world's imagination and philosophy to "be the best." You certainly here this all the time in motivational speaking, self-help books, etc.

There's something good about seeking to be better and better at something.

However, if our entire life's orientation is that we would be the best and no one would be better than us - it certainly is a recipe for feeling lonely and empty at the top because we were never designed to be above all.

John reminds us of this in John 1:30, "[Jesus] is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’"

The New Living Translation says it this way, "He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’"

John was great.

There is no denying that.

He doesn't deny it.

The crowds don't deny it.

Jesus certainly didn't deny it.

However, there was always space and room for John to say but Jesus is greater than.

In other words, it's important for us to orient our lives in such a way that as we continue to pursue being great, developing, being better, etc. there should always be plenty of margin for us to declare to people - "Yea, Jesus is the greatest though."

We find that we can orient our lives and put on display that Jesus is the greatest through:

1. Carving out time at the first of the day for scripture and worship
2. Participating with our families and friends in scripture and worship
3. Gathering together with the church local to read scripture and worship
4. Unashamedly boasting that Christ is your life

No matter what it is you are seeking to be the best at - being a great friend, husband/wife, mom/dad, employee/boss, homemaker, etc. - allow plenty of margin in rhythms and speech to make much of Jesus and declare His greatness.