The Whole of Christian Life: Lessons From John the Baptist
“Look today to John the Baptist, an enduring model of fidelity to God and his Law. John prepared the way for Christ by the testimony of his word and his life. Imitate him with docile and trusting generosity” (Pope St. John Paul II).
Advent 2021: Responding to God’s Call and Growing in Community
This Advent, our leadership and writing teams are reflecting on the Visitation—Mary’s visit to St. Elizabeth while they were pregnant with Jesus and St. John the Baptist. Click here to read more.
The more I see and the more I learn, the more I’m drawn to John the Baptist. Jesus said, “Among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11), yet I feel like he often is overlooked, both as an intercessor and as an emulatable example of faith when it comes to responding to God’s call.
As women, we are frequently encouraged to meditate on the Visitation: on Mary going in haste to the hill country and Elizabeth describing the child growing inside her as leaping in the presence of his Savior (Luke 1:39-41). These two women appreciated that something of world-historical importance was happening long before Herod or Caesar caught on.
We Must Decrease
And yet, when I picture that story, I find myself thinking more about the baby in utero who would grow into a man clothed in camel’s hair who lived off of locusts and honey—a man who attracted a great deal of attention as he proclaimed the coming of the Messiah and who nevertheless had the humility to say, “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30).
John the Baptist sums up the whole of the Christian life in that brief statement. So often, whether it’s at work or at home, we feel like we need to be doing. Whether it’s a “rise and grind” mentality, the ordinary tasks of parenting, or giving of ourselves in acts of service, at the end of the day, we often feel like it’s us making things happen. However, for Christians, that should never be the operating assumption.
Moreover, if we view the people around us as opportunities to serve Jesus, John the Baptist shows us that sometimes, that doesn’t mean we need to be front and center, giving every last drop of our energy. Sometimes, it means hanging back and letting other people shine. It means decreasing so others can increase.
When working with others, the temptation can be to take control (especially if you’re the one in charge). But acknowledging that other people have gifts or need opportunities to grow, and providing them with opportunities to put those gifts to use or flex their muscle, is sometimes doing more for them than taking on every task and burden yourself.
The Fruits of Decreasing
There are practical benefits to decreasing. You can recharge and avoid exhaustion. Additionally, if you’re a leader or supervisor, when you let go and decrease, you can see the fruits of your own labors as your employees put the things you’ve taught them to new, creative uses. It’s also a humble acknowledgement to the people with whom you work or live that you don’t always have all the answers—and it’s OK, because you can all work together to find a solution.
Finally, in the words of the angel to Zechariah, John the Baptist came to “turn the hearts of fathers toward children” (Luke 1:17). We can, of course, expand this out a little bit more, to see that this reconciliation is for more than just fathers or children, and that John the Baptist can continue to help us today. When dealing with strife at home or work, whether it’s the inevitable friction that arises in the course of daily life or something bigger, go to John the Baptist. Ask him to turn the hearts of everyone involved toward each other.
Above all, ask him to show you where and how you can decrease so God can increase. This Advent, invite John the Baptist into your prayer and meditation. Together, you can prepare the way of the Lord in your life.
Maggie Phillips is a freelance writer and military spouse with three small children and an incredibly patient husband. Follow her work at mrsmaggiephillips.com and on Instagram at @maggies_words.