John 3:27-31 – “John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”  NKJV

If I am completely honest, it feels good when someone sends accolades your direction but at the same time I am almost always troubled by them.  It is not with a sense of ‘false humility’ that I am troubled but a realization that I SHOULD NEVER be the focus, HE SHOULD!  When I receive earthly praise for anything, this verse comes to mind and while I never want to fail to acknowledge the expression and show genuine appreciation for the speaker or writer I do want to keep it all in perspective.

Any ability I have and any gift or talent is from Him.  I know that the very breath I breathe is at the choosing of God to allow me more time on planet earth. I know that although I may have studied, labored, honed and developed skills the source of those gifts, talents or abilities are HIM!  In Him I ‘live’, I ‘move’ and I ‘have my being’.  It is IN Him, THROUGH Him, and BY Him that anything good that I am comes to fruition.

I echo John’s words and heart saying, “I am not Him.  I am just a voice or a vessel.”  I have never wanted to be an echo but a voice but even in that I am just a voice not the voice for that title and distinction is His alone.  He deposits in my heart and I convey what has been deposited.  I did not originate it, He did.  All I am, have, will be or will have is directly connected to HIM.  Therefore, if you see something in me that even remotely seems to warrant praise it WAS, IS and WILL BE Him.  He is the deserving one I am not.

Again, some may consider my protest an exercise in ‘false humility’ but I do not mean it that way.  Rather I pray that everyone will understand that the deep cry of my heart is to LIFT HIM UP and when He is lifted up men are drawn to him.  If I am lifted up and anyone is drawn to me that would be a tragic mistake for I am human, with human frailties, kinks in my armor and will most likely disappoint in something at some time.  HE WILL NOT!

I have experienced the ‘puffing up’ of my ego too many times in life and experienced the pain of being brought back to reality, I do not need nor do I want that.  I want to simply be a vessel meet for the Master’s use that brings honor.  I like the characterization the Jewish leaders made of Peter and John in Acts 4:13.  They saw them as lacking the credentials of education, polish, and sophistication but noticed one distinct thing that separated them from others – – THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS!  That is the cry of my heart that people see Him in me not just me.  If I am successful in that endeavor then lives will be changed and the Kingdom of God advanced through the efforts assigned to me.

So as you go through this day beware of flattery and focus on Him.  May God bless you richly as you go through your day!