little i

Seems that lately my eyes keep being pried open to see me for who I am apart from Christ. Realization of this self is not a fun process and often, for me anyway, it is a reminder that no matter how hard I try to be different, to some they will only ever see me as the inglorious representation of humanity I once was. Trust me, I know how heinous my sins were. They are things I abhor, not things that bring me delight or joy even at the mere memory of them. I am sincerely indebted to Christ not only for salvation from eternal separation from Him due to my sinfulness, but also because He has and continues to chip away at my life to make me someone beautiful inwardly.

It is written, "He (Christ) must become greater, I must become less." This is found in John's gospel chapter 3 verse 30. Why must I, Naomi, become less?

1. If there is not less of me, I cannot be filled with more of Him.

2. Without Him I would not, and could not, be a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

3. More of me means I place more reliance on self than on Christ and, well, that just shouldn't be.

So, even through these humbling moments, I am grateful for the grace of Christ. It is because of His grace that I did not have to stay unchanged and can live knowing that my sinfulness, even in plain sight of others, can be forgiven and in His eyes forgotten. And for that I am eternally thankful! I want to gladly become less, no matter how painful.