Last night at Men’s Alliance, we studied John 3 — where Jesus speaks with Nicodemus, and then John the Baptist boldly declares:

“He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30)

That simple but powerful statement stirred something deep in me. We were asked to mediate on how do we actually become less, and let God become more?

As I meditated on it, several Scriptures came to mind:

• “The last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16)
• “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
• “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)
• And most of all, Jesus’ command in Luke 9:23:
  “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

To die to self is not a one-time event. It’s a daily decision. Every morning we wake up, we must lay down our pride, our plans, and our comfort — and pick up the mission Jesus laid before us.

It’s not about thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less often. We are still to care for our health, our spirit, our emotions — but all of that must be rooted in God, not in ego. The moment we make ourselves the main character, we begin to push God and others to the background.

This past Fourth of July, I had the opportunity to choose between personal pleasure and spiritual purpose. I could’ve stayed up late, partied, had “me time.” But I knew I had a commitment — to serve meals and minister to the homeless at Beautiful Feet the next morning. That was my cross to carry that day — and it brought joy, not burden.

Paul said it clearly in Acts 20:24:

“I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.”

Friends, this is the call:

To live a life not centered on me, but centered on He.

To make Him greater — in our priorities, in our choices, and in our love for others.

Let’s be a generation of believers who daily choose the cross over comfort. Because the more we become less, the more Christ becomes visible through us.

-Rev Carlos Figueroa