The Gospel of JohnSample

Let God Work on All of You

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John 3:30 (ESV)

John the Baptist had one mission: to point people to Jesus. Even as his own following started to shrink and Jesus’ ministry grew, John wasn’t jealous—he was joyful. He understood that his purpose wasn’t to build a name for himself but to make Jesus known. And he knew something deeper, too: when we truly want God to work in our lives, we must be willing to let Him into every part.

Many of us are hesitant to show God our full selves. We may offer Him the “clean” areas—our Sunday mornings or our quiet times—but keep the darker parts hidden: our fears, our habits, our pride. But here’s the truth: God already sees it all. What He desires is our willingness to let His light shine into every corner of our hearts—not to shame us, but to heal us.

Jesus said that people often avoid the light because they’re afraid of what will be exposed (John 3:19-20). But light doesn’t just reveal—it restores. When we bring our whole selves to God, we’re giving Him permission to transform us completely. That includes our doubts, struggles, and sins. Only when we surrender all can He shape us into who we’re meant to be.

John didn’t pretend to be the Messiah. He didn’t fight to stay in the spotlight. Instead, he stepped back and celebrated what God was doing through Jesus. That kind of humility comes from being honest with God and secure in your role. John’s joy wasn’t in being important—it was in being faithful.

So, are you willing to show God all of you? Not just the highlight reel, but the hidden wounds and broken pieces? When we do, we experience freedom. We stop striving to prove ourselves and start living in the light of His grace.

Respond to God’s Word:

Take a moment today to open your heart fully to God. In prayer or your journal, invite Him to shine His light on anything you’ve been hiding. Then, look around and encourage someone else in their calling—celebrate what God is doing in their life. When we stop competing and start surrendering, Jesus truly increases in and through us.