When I do good, there is always the temptation to believe that the good I have done is because of me and me alone. When people praise and applaud the good things I have done, there is always the danger that I keep the accolades all just for myself. In the end, I could end up preening in pride and vainglory. That is the ultimate vanity.
John the Baptist was a great prophet. He led a very simple ascetic life. He had many followers. He spoke the truth even when this meant his head. But he also knew that there was one greater than he who was coming after him. He was just preparing the way for Him. And he had no problems with that. “He must increase; I must decrease.” he declared to everyone.
When I do good, I must always remember that all goodness has but one source and it is not me. When I receive praise or appreciation for the good that I do, I must pass this on to the one true source of all goodness in gratitude and humility. When I receive goodness from others, I will thank them and the Spirit who inspired them to do good for me.
In the overall scheme of things, let my perspective and my prayer be: “Lord, that I may decrease and that You may increase.” And as I say this short prayer, may I make it a reality in my life: that in doing less for myself, I might do more for others; that in loving myself less, I might have more love for others; and that in thinking less of myself, I might think more of others.
John answered and said,
“No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.
You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ,
but that I was sent before him.
The one who has the bride is the bridegroom;
the best man, who stands and listens for him,
rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.
So this joy of mine has been made complete.
He must increase; I must decrease.”
John 3:25-30