“You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah
but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:28–30
Lord Jesus, we’re not sure about donning a wardrobe of camel’s hair clothing, or consuming a diet of locusts and wild honey (Matt. 3:4). But we definitely want more of John the Baptist’s joy—the joy of you becoming greater, while we become less. Indeed, John leapt for joy at the very thought of you, even before he was born (Luke 1:39–41). Could you, would you make us just as joyful—just as childlike in response to who you are?
Oh, to have our joy largely defined by people making much of you, not us. That would sabotage our insecurities, comparisons, self-preoccupation, and penchant to get our feelings hurt too easily. It would be awesome to experience greater grief when people don’t “get” you than when they don’t “get” us. By your Spirit, do this great, grace work in our hearts.
Free us to say (and mean) with John, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.” Indeed, free us to accept the giving’s and the take-aways in life equally as sovereign appointments from your throne of grace (Job 1:21). That would liberate us to worship, love, and serve you—irrespective of challenging circumstances, difficult people, or an unknown future.
Jesus, most wonderful and loving Bridegroom, bring more of this joy and freedom to our needy and expectant hearts. As we prepare for a week of thanks-giving, and then move into the season of Advent, supersize your beauty, presence, and magnificence in our hearts. So very Amen we pray, in your priceless and peerless name.