I have not made resolutions for many years. I never kept them for long so gave that whole idea up. In 2007, I happened upon “One Word 365” and decided to pick one word that I could study in God’s Word, thereby seeking His face as I desired to draw closer to Him. I chose “love” that year. I rowed steadily on this annual river until 2016. I found that after ten years, I was moving into a similar “resolution” stream so I called a halt to this when it was time to pick a 2017 word. Four years have passed and I am very ready to begin again. I am choosing “decrease” as my 2021 word from which to dwell, ponder, study, seek guidance. I pray that my wings will spread and that I will draw nearer to my Christ in the process.
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30
Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you across the Jordan, to Whom you bore witness—look, He is baptizing, and all are going to Him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before Him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears Him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.” He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He Who comes from heaven is above all. John 3:25-31
Oh, to understand this, to acknowledge this Truth, to walk this out not just for 2021 but for the remainder of my days, to love the outcome no matter the trials and pain, no matter the joy and beauty in this journey.
Blessed be His glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with His glory!
Amen and Amen! Psalm 72:19
Father God, may the things of me, my selfish ways, my need to be in charge, all of me that shades out Christ from view to this world, that places His light in me under a bushel basket, may all that and much more decrease in me in order that You may increase. May Your holiness overwhelm me that I will glorify You, O Lord. May all of You become all of me. May my light be Your’s in this ever so dark world. I pray all in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
P.S. I will purpose to write of my journey with “decrease” once a month.
Weaving by ~ lindawoven; photo and graphics by ~ linda
Weaving by ~ lindawoven; photo and graphics by ~ linda
Up and Down arrows: Wikimedia (graphics added by me)