John 3:30 states, “He must increase, I must decrease.” While this verse is fairly short and simple on the surface, I’ve found it to be crucial in constructing the foundation of my faith. In order to truly grasp the meaning of what it means to live as a Christian, I have found it necessary to recognize that I will never come in first place. I will always be second, and that is perfectly okay. By understanding this, I am better equipped to serve others, live in a way that follows God’s will, and understand the fact that despite what I may want for myself, God’s plans will always prevail over my own. I am important, I can set my own goals and go after them, and I will always ensure that I am taking care of myself. However, I am not the most important, the goals I set for myself may not always be the ones that I am meant to accomplish, and while it is important to take care of myself, it is also important to ensure that I am taking care of others as well.

This sense of humility isn’t always easy to accept, and we are all guilty of putting ourselves first at times. We all make mistakes, and we all act out selfishly on occasion. However, it is important to embrace the fact that we will always come in second place. You have a purpose, and the only one who genuinely knows what that purpose is and how to guide you to it is God. By accepting that He comes above yourself and putting all of your trust in Him, you are not sacrificing your wellbeing in any way—in fact, you are furthering it. You do not always know what’s best for you, but God does. While His wishes for your life may go against your own, embrace them regardless and wholeheartedly trust that they are best for you. You will always be important and the wishes you have for your life will always hold meaning; however, you will always take a backseat to God and his plans for you. While we often seek out coming in first place, coming in second isn’t always a bad thing. Admitting that I am second and God is first has led me to better prioritize, act in a way that better shines God’s light in the world, and more easily accept the fact that while my plans may be important to me, they may not always be what’s best for me. While silver medals often aren’t treasured as highly as gold, humbling yourself and admitting that you come in second to God has the potential to grow your faith tremendously and bless your life abundantly.