Whatever You Do, Don't Reach For The Stars

John 3:30 -- "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less."

It's amazing to me how many times I can read a single verse and truly not get it....then one day...POW!...the light bulb goes off over my head and I beam with joy.

All laughs and comfortably crowded on Mom Dalton's couch, we flip the telly to a video [yes, and actual video on an actual tape] and watch a few memories unfurl themselves from the back of our brains via the wonderful shorts/skits on Sesame Street.

Right away I start singing with the music - "sunny day, I'm chasing the clouds away." .... and then....the Alligator King comes on. Do any of you remember the Alligator King with seven sons? Each son taking a turn trying to cheer up their gloomy 'ole Dad? They try everything...every kingly gift imaginable. Pearls, Diamonds, Rubies ... good choices all, but Dad remains gloomy.

That is until - the littlest son - the seventh one in line - takes his Dad's hand and says "Dad, it looks like you could use a little help." With those simple words little number seven helps Dad get up off the floor. And the Alligator King smiles once more because it was the littlest....small number seven.... who made the greatest impact on poor 'ole Dad's gloom. It took love and a helping hand.

Doing my devo this morning I thought of the Alligator Dad and his seventh son. I was reminded that - when we think of doing right by God and growing in Him -- we [or, I should say I] tend to think of growing taller in the Lord.  Reaching for Him in heaven and striving to do all the things I know that would make him proud. Lately I've given a great amount of thought to humility and service. I reach and reach.....stretch and stretch...and yet, the very act of honing in on these thoughts makes me proud - because these thoughts are self-centered. I ask: "what can I do today that will help me grow and make God proud of me?" If I focus on this -- I am pleased and happy that I have put my focus on Him -- and THAT makes me proud. In effect, I'm sons one through six, heaping earthly "goods" and treasures upon my Father that He might recognize my efforts to please Him. 

But, like little number seven Alligator, it's not reaching or stretching upward that will help me learn humility. It's not reaching for the stars..... it's reaching downward.....it's sitting down and being still. It's making my very SELF the offering to my Father - to do this, I lower my knees to the ground and bow -- low.

I long to look into a mirror and see the reflection of Jesus Christ - to no longer see myself looking back at me because I have become less and less -- Jesus has become greater and greater.