As we conclude the Christmas season and the reading of the First Letter of John, the Apostle leaves us with a word about Confidence . He wri...
As we conclude the Christmas season and the reading of the First Letter of John, the Apostle leaves us with a word about Confidence. He writes, "We have this confidence in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." Many Christians live with a timid faith, unsure if God is listening. But John assures us that prayer is not shouting into a void; it is a conversation with a Father who hears. Confidence does not mean arrogance; it means trusting that God is good and that He desires our good.
This confidence leads us to a Christ-centered humility, perfectly modeled by John the Baptist in today's Gospel. His disciples are worried that Jesus is becoming more popular than John. John’s response is the golden rule of discipleship: "He must increase; I must decrease." This is the antidote to the ego-centric culture we live in. We are often told to increase our brand, our followers, and our influence. John the Baptist reminds us that our life is not about us—it is about pointing the spotlight on Jesus. We are the moon, reflecting the light of the Sun.
When we live this way, we find true Contentment. John says, "My joy is now complete." He wasn't jealous. He didn't feel threatened. He was content because he knew his purpose. Envy steals our joy; comparison is the thief of happiness. But when we realize that our only job is to be faithful to the role God gave us—whether big or small—we find a joy that the world cannot take away.
Challenge: Repeat this mantra throughout the day today: "He must increase; I must decrease." Apply it to your conversations and your decisions.
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