I will build My church

This was John's message: "After me..." (1:7) 

A keen and gifted vicar took on a challenging church in a town in the east of England. He had energy and ideas and quickly set up a flourishing ministry among the local families. He gathered workers, set up programs and after a few years left hopeful that his work would continue. Some time later he found himself in the vicinity of his old church and thought he would pop in to see how things were going. As soon as he got near he realised something was wrong. The building looked empty and unused. All evidence of his programs and ministry was absent. The site appeared almost derelict. One of his old churchwardens still lived just over the road, so he paid him a visit. The story was a familiar one. When he left, the energy and drive had gone out of the church. Those who left the work were not replaced and eventually attendance dropped to an unsustainable level and the church that had thrived just a few short years before was closed. Distraught, he staggered over the road and into the dark and empty building. Finding himself on his knees in prayer, he looked up in despair and saw something he had never noticed before. Above him, in the stained glass, was written a short phrase from the Psalms: 'Unless the Lord builds the house, those who labour, labour in vain'. You see? It was always his church, his work, his gifts, his energy and not God's.

It must have been really tough for John to point away from himself, to be forever the bridesmaid and never the bride, forever the best man and never the groom. He could so easily have delighted in the crowds and created a following for his way. But he chose the better path. He chose to point to Jesus. Can we?