330

Happy Friday Friends!

I hope & trust this post finds you all having a great day as a glorious new day begins to dawn!

330. In the Haslam family, saying "330" carries a very special meaning. This is the 330th blog post of "Happy Friday." As I have logged in week after week and watched the count grow nearer and nearer to number 330 I knew exactly what this Happy Friday would be all about.

"Seven Words." That is what the shirt said, right below "3:30." I was a football coach -coaches love shirts! :) - at the time and my family & I were at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp. Brian Beltramo, then the Director of the Coaches Program and now the Arizona Director for FCA, had the shirts made for coaches. He then explained the meaning. One of the players for the Arizona Diamondbacks, when interviewed immediately following their World Series win in 2001 said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." He was quoting John 3:30 and when the Haslam family heard it, it resonated...deeply!

Let me give you the context of John 3:30. To fully understand we need to back up to John 3:22. Here is John 3:22-30:

"After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison).

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 briedgroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease."

You see Friends, the arguments over who is better goes back to the time when Jesus walked the face of the earth...and even before! John's disciples were in an argument with a Jew and concerned that people were going to Jesus to be baptized instead of to John. To all this nonsense John replies, "He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease."

Speaking to your heart at all? I know it does mine. While we may not outwardly say that we are better than Jesus, we - o.k., I know at least I - fight to be in control, to have the answers, pridefully refusing to surrender. I think that is why this reminder resonates so strongly and convicts so deeply for me. This blessed life God has given me is not about me but rather about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the work they want to do in me and through me. The only way this happens however is for Jesus to increase and for me to decrease. I can't be the one in control, the boss and have Jesus increase at the same time. It is an either or proposition with eternal consequences. That is why, in the Haslam family, when one asks, "What time is it?" almost assuredly someone will answer, "3:30." It is ALWAYS time for Jesus to increase and for us to decrease.

Is it a coincidence - spoiler alert, I don't believe in coincidences! :) - that I came across a couple of things this week that speak about or point to John 3:30? I want to share them with you this morning.

Earlier this week, Lysa TerKeurst shared this on social media:

"The Bible says that God must become greater, and I must become less. Simple words I would do well to challenge myself with today and every day.

Simple words reminding me it's not all about me or my comfort or my plans. Simple words that remind me of the way Jesus demonstrated humility and service through His life and His death. Simple words...He must become greater, and I must become less.

I'll be honest; I need these words. How about you?

As these words rush through my mind, I realize it's good for me to serve others. It's good for me to see how often I grumble and complain. It's good to see how much I need Jesus. It's good to feel His strength take over when I'm weak.

Yes, Lord. Less of me. More of you."

And then there is this quote from one of my favorite Pastors:

"The more my life is about me, the more unfulfilled I will be." - Chad Moore

So Friends, a new day - full of new hope, opportunity, promises, and yes, choices - has dawned! You and I now get to choose! For me, it's 3:30! :)

Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always help you any way I can. You can reach me at kevin@whatwillyourinfluencebe.com.

Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families!

Kev