i am nothing...

i have been fascinated by this verse lately.

John 3:30
"He must increase, but I must decrease"
that's the king james version.
the niv says
"He must become greater, I must become less"

i just love thinking about what it really means.
like, what that looks like in real life.

i have been thinking about messages that we are getting these days.
the first one is the whole, it's all about me theory.

this one is actually pretty big right now (especially around new years resolutions time)
because we are told
you need to take time for yourself
you need to make sure that you do this to better yourself.
it's all about getting things prioritized right, they say (the "they" being jillian michaels and bob harper)
"only you can help you"
"you've got to look out for yourself"
are a couple quotes from good ole jill.

the main problem with this, is that is in complete opposition to the Bible where it tells us to "think of others as better than ourselves" and that pleasing GOD needs to be my first goal!

the second one is, it's all about others theory
this is why we see so many people "paying forward"
ya know, extreme home makeover, and other companies who are trying to get you to focus on others - almost until you aren't thinking of yourself whatsoever.

the main problem with this one, is that people will let you down. and if you put all your efforts into others, eventually you are going to get tired and worn out.
not that i am condoning not helping others...obviously.
i'm just saying that it should not be our FIRST goal.

the third one.
well.
you don't see this one on any tv show.
it's the it's all about Jesus one.

see, here's the thing that's cofusing.
the other theories sound good sometimes!
i mean..it's good to make sure you are taking time to stay healthy, and take care of yourself.
it's good to care for the needs of others.
no doubt about that!

the only problem is that our first goal has to be pleasing Christ.
has to be.
when you make it your goal to please him...guess what?
you will take care of yourself.
and you will help others as well.

so back to the verse.
i am naturally a sinful, wicked, selfish person.
even the times i decide to help others, i can become prideful that i did such a good job helping others!!
isn't it crazy?
so my main goal needs to be to stay in God's Word. which teaches me how to live.
God's Word is my food.
my passion.
it is incredible to me how it teaches me everything i have ever or will ever need to know.
i get confused when people who have God's Word get confused over how to live.
no offense.
just be diligent and disciplined, and find out what God says on the matter.
that's what i love about christianity.
it's not a religion (ugh. i can't stand religion)
it's not just someone's ideas that have no proof or evidence.
(there is so much historical and scientific evidence to prove that every word of the Bible is accurate - it's actually mind-boggling!)
it's real.
it gives hope.
it is not my way of life.
it is my life. period.

so don't think for one second that i am anything on my own.
i promise you, i'm not.
every decision i make comes from the unchangeable, perfect Word of God.
if i tried to make my decisions without an absolute, where would i be?
how could i have confidence that what i am teaching my children is real?
i couldn't.
that's why...
i am nothing.
i want to be so focused on pleasing Christ that i literally forget about myself.
so that there is less of me and more of Him.

that is my new years resolution.
oh wait.
i don't make those things!
ha!