August 12

For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. — 2 Cor 4:5 BSB

Your Christian influence, your reputation as a worker for God, and your standing among your fellow believers may become an idol that you must die to before you can fully live for Him.

Think of the letter "i" on a printed page—it always has a dot above it. That dot elevates it above the other letters. In the same way, each of us has a "dot" of self-importance, self-interest, self-confidence, or something else that makes us feel significant. This dot represents our self-life, even if it seems small compared to bigger things.

This "i" is a rival to Jesus Christ and an enemy of the Holy Spirit, our peace, and our life. God has decreed its death, and the Holy Spirit, with His flaming sword, is ready to remove it so that we can enter into the fullness of life and partake of the Tree of Life.

Lord, crowd me out with Your fullness, just as the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle and left no room for Moses.