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A Prayer for More Joy through Becoming Less

     They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 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 3:26-30

     Dear Lord Jesus, I want nothing to do with a wardrobe of camel’s hair clothing, and a diet of locusts and wild honey (Matt. 3:4), but I do want more of John the Baptist’s joy—the joy of your increase and my decrease. Even in his mother’s womb, John leapt for joy before you (Luke 1:39-41). Could you, would you bring the same joy to my heart?

      I long for a joy fueled by people making much of you—a joy that would free me from “needing” people to make anything of me. Such joy would slay the beast of “approval suck” in my life—giving people too much power over my heart, either to make me or break me.

     Such a joy would free me to grieve more when people don’t “get” you than when they don’t “get” me. Such a joy would free me to accept both your “giving’s” and your “taking away’s” (Job 1:21), equally, as appointments from your throne of grace.

     Such a joy would free me for a life of contentment—because it would be anchored in you, not determined by circumstances. Such a joy would free me to love others as you love them, not as I want them to be. Such a joy would free me to be present in the moment, and less obsessing about the next thing.  Such a joy would be for your glory, and that’s all that really matters. Though we all matter, only you are the point, Lord Jesus. So very Amen I pray, in your joy-full and grace-full name.

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