Where Credit is Due

John 1:8-9
8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

John the brother of Jesus gave testimony of John the Baptist's purpose. He very eloquently dispelled the myth that John the Baptist was the Messiah. This belief ensued for quite some time. But John said that John the Baptist was a "witness". A witness is a person with a firsthand account, someone that was present. Many of us as believers have to learn how to give our "firsthand account of what Jesus has done in our lives. We never know who may need to hear our eyewitness account. If we do not speak when the Lord gives us an opportunity is it because we are afraid or because we do not see evidence of Him in our daily lives? If we do not see evidence is it not because we fail to perceive or we simply haven't come to know Him yet? John also said "the true light that gives light to every man". In other words, Jesus will operate through any one of us, if we are willing. We alone cannot take any credit for what God does. We can only submit to being an instrument or lamp that Jesus is allowing His light to shine through. If we are not clear on who is in control, it can be very easy to attempt to steal the limelight. And our God is a jealous God. He will indeed demonstrate who is REALLY running the show. It's okay to say, "it's not me, it's Jesus." At that point, credit is going to where credit is due.