I scroll through a social media website and see another post that says, “Thanks to you, we’ve hit 100,000 followers!” Thumbs-up signs, emojis, and words of congratulations flood the screen.

There’s nothing uncommon or uncanny about it, but for some reason, that picture stays with me as I read John 3 later that day. John the Baptist’s words ring in my ears as I read his response to the troubled disciples, “This joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, and I must decrease.” John 3:29b-30

John the Baptist was probably at the peak of his popularity. People from all types of social classes came to be baptized by him; soldiers and tax collectors and common Jews. Multitudes listened to his teaching and crowds followed him. Yet when he came face-to-face with Jesus, John the Baptist became small as Christ became big. 

I also think of Paul, who traveled as a preacher in an unbelievably difficult context and planted churches in many large cities. After years of walking down the narrow road with Christ, he writes, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Galatians 2:20 

The world tells me that I grow when I’ve reached certain heights of popularity, status, and recognition.

God tells me that I grow when there is less of me and more of Him.

Quite the opposite. 

What a wonderful and freeing truth! As I grow closer to Christ, I don’t need to strive to be known and acknowledged. I will not be bound by opinions or expectations of the people who surround me. I won’t spend my days growing my audience or targeting more followers. I will walk before God, knowing that all of the glory from ministry, global work, or church development belongs to Him. 

Christ in me will be glorified, because God’s way of growth is less of me and more of Him.