“He must increase, but I must decrease.” 

When something increases, you begin to see more of it. It becomes more influential. It becomes more prominent. You can’t help but notice it. On the other hand, when something decreases, you begin to see less of it. You lose sight of it. It becomes less influential and prominent. Think for a moment about a flood. When an area floods, the water that had not previously received much attention suddenly gets all the attention. You can’t help but notice it. For a period of time, the “increase” in water is on everyone’s mind. Once the flood waters begin to recede, less and less attention is given to it. It is not on everyone’s mind as much. Once the flood water “gets out of the way”, you can see a change.

John writes about “getting out of the way”. John the Baptist says that  He (Jesus) must increase, become more prominent, more influential and that I (John) must become less prominent, decrease, and get out of the way.  More than ever there is a need for Jesus Christ to be more prominent. People today need to see Him and not us. For this to happen, each one of us must make the decision to decrease, or “get out of the way” so that Christ can be clearly seen. How do we decrease? Decreasing comes from surrendering our will, desire, and pride to Jesus Christ. Daily. When we get out of the way and Jesus Christ becomes more prominent and influential, there will be a permanent and lasting change in us and those around us. Much like the permanent change left by flood waters.