Musings at Altitude

I confess.  I struggle with humility.  I struggle with stepping aside so someone else can take over.  I struggle with letting someone else lead.  I struggle when there are two ways to travel to the same destination and the path chosen is someone else’s path and not mine.  And I struggle when I see folks lining up to follow someone else when my deepest desire is that they follow me.

One of the many great sections in the Bible covers John the Baptist, and it’s a lesson on humility.  Till that time, John was a voice crying in the wilderness announcing the coming of Christ.  In John 1:26-27, John the Baptist says, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know.  He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am unworthy to untie.” 

Later, John baptized Jesus, and as Jesus’ ministry grew, John’s disciples grew concerned because folks began following Christ instead of following John.  To this, John responded, “I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him…He must become greater; I must become less.”

John gave us a perfect lesson in humility.  John had indeed prepared the way for Christ, and when his time came to step back, he willingly became less for Christ.

I need to remember John every time I let my ego and my pride get in the way of allowing others to lead.

And on this day of worship and rest, I thank God and His Son for the models provided in God’s Word that show us how we should respond to the struggles that we face.