Increase and Decrease

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he spent some time there with them and baptized. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept coming and were being baptized— John, of course, had not yet been thrown into prison. Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew. They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.’ John answered, ‘No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, “I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.” He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.’ The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath. John 3:22-36

As I prepare for retirement and a new chapter of my life, I am puzzled sometimes by the mixed feelings I have had. The idea of rest and having time is wonderful. Stepping out of the role I have had for 24 years is causing me confusion. I won't miss the responsibility, the long hours and the constant scrutiny yet I will miss the people. I know I was called to this and stepping back, decreasing the role, if a bit of a shock I didn't expect. I hear John today answering his disciples that he has to decrease so the focus can be on Jesus. It must have been hard to say that and harder even to step back. And yet, when we step back our God is able to do new things we never could have expected.

Wondrous God, you created four seasons

times of growth, harvest and resting

your made us live in the four directions

so all could see your manifold works.

We ache to be in the limelight and center stage

we always want to be seen and heard

as humans we adore the attention and honors

and we forget who made it all possible.

Help us, dear Lord, to step back today

making room so that Jesus can shine through

making space so new holy servants can shine

so your love is visible in our broken world. Amen.