Soon after, a sermon podcast I was listening to talked about this same idea but from a slightly different angle. The pastor was preaching on Mark 4:26-29. In this passage, Jesus is telling a short parable about a growing seed. In discussing the parable, the pastor was helping his listeners understand that while we may scatter seeds of faith in people, we are not the ones who make them grow. God’s got the hard part! The pastor said, “Your part is not the main part. Stop bringing main character energy to your prayer life. … God is doing the hard parts that you don’t even think about.” Message received. It’s not about me. It’s all about God!

Then, to top things off, my Bible Study Fellowship lecture was covering Revelation 5, which teaches about Jesus, the Lamb, being able to break the seal of the scroll in God’s heavenly throne room. Right near the start of our teaching leader’s lecture on the passage, she was talking about how we often read Scripture from an earthly vantage point. It’s our human nature to do so. But, she reminded us, that’s not all there is to this life. She said, “You are not the main character in the story you are living.” She went on to talk about Jesus, the only One worthy to reveal the truth. His worthiness is rooted in who He is and what He has done. What has He done? He died a sacrificial death to save us from our sins. He is the main character! It’s not about me. It’s all about God!

Sooo do you think there’s a message the Lord is trying to get across to me? Yep, I think so, and I’ll share that message with you today. It’s not about me, and it’s not about you. We are not the main characters of our lives on this earth. God is! It’s literally all about Him. He is working on center stage and behind the scenes, and He is doing the main part—the hard part—of every single situation you’re involved in. 

This doesn’t mean we just sit around, though. God calls us to sow seeds of faith and serve Him in all we do and say. Galatians 6:9 says that we should not become weary in doing good! 1 Corinthians 15:58 encourages us to throw ourselves into the work of the Master. Stay busy for Jesus, but just remember that that your part is the small part. God loves involving His children in His all-important work, but He’s the one doing the hard part. On our own, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything. The Holy Spirit empowers believers’ work for Christ to make it effective. 

This reminder has both humbled and helped me. It humbles me because it reminds me of my position and power compared to God’s. I am small, and He is big. My rightful position before Him is bowed in humble reverence. It’s easy to forget this as we navigate life on earth as people striving for independence and self-sufficiency. Dependence on God is a good thing, but it’s not a natural human mindset to embrace. So anytime we are reminded that we are not the main characters in our stories, that is humbling to hear. 

On the other hand, this reminder also helps me. Why? Because it reminds me that everything does not fall on my shoulders! It’s not about me, and it’s not up to me! I am not in charge—what a relief. I can serve God in faithful obedience and then exhale, step back and let Him work. Can you imagine the pressure and stress you’d feel if it was up to you and only you to orchestrate every single situation in your life? That sounds MISERABLE. Praise God that He takes care of the hard part. He is the main character! I’m just a humble servant, and so are you. 

A verse in John helps remind me of this key truth. I pray this verse over myself often. Lord, help me to decrease, and would you increase in my life. Here is John 3:30 in a few different translations: 

He must become greater; I must become less. -John 3:30, NIV

He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. -John 3:30, NLT

He must become more important while I become less important. -John 3:30, GNT

This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines. -John 3:30, The Message

It’s time to decrease! Remember that the spotlight is not on you, and that might be the best news you hear all day.