What does it take to truly be a success in life? For some it is all about accomplishments and material possessions. Their motto is, “He who dies with the most toys, wins!” For others, it is about prestige and popularity. They want to “know and be known” by others. Still others see success as education and knowledge, while others find success in a certain occupation or job. In the end, most of our pursuits for success leave us ultimately unfulfilled. In Ecclesiastes, it says that Solomon set his heart on whatever he wanted and that he gained everything he set his heart on . . . but in the end he said it was like “chasing after the wind.”
So, where is true success really found? The book of John reminds us through the life of John the Baptist what real success looks like. In spite of his popularity and ministry “success,” John knew exactly what his life was all about. He was only a servant. He was there to point the way to Jesus, and it was in this task of servanthood that he would find ultimate success. The same is true for us. We find success in being a servant. Jesus taught this truth over and over again to His disciples and even said of Himself, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to gave His life as a ransom for many.” Perhaps today, we will learn what it takes to be a great servant, and to say with John the Baptist, “Christ must increase, I must decrease.”