John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 3:27-30
It is natural to appreciate recognition for our efforts, but it can be difficult when someone else receives the praise or opportunities we had hoped for. Yet one of the marks of genuine humility is the ability to rejoice when God uses others, even when their success means that we receive less attention. Scottish preacher Andrew Bonar transparently wrote the following words in his diary:
This day 20 years ago I preached for the first time as an ordained minister. It is amazing that the Lord has spared me and used me at all. I have no reason to wonder that He used others far more than He does me. Yet envy is my hurt, and today I have been seeking grace to rejoice exceedingly over the usefulness of others, even where it cast me into the shade. Lord, take away this envy from me!
If everything we do is for God’s glory rather than our own, then we have no basis for wishing for the acclaim someone else receives. God knows what we have done for Him, and His praise is of far more value than any earthly applause we might receive. This life is not about us promoting ourselves and seeking approval from others. This life is given to us to serve God faithfully and humbly, and focused on him. God instructed Jeremiah to give his scribe, Baruch, this warning: “And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not” (Jeremiah 45:5). We should praise God for the success of others in His work rather than envying them.
