Not About Me

John 3:26-30 - And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, He is baptizing, and all are going to Him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before Him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

I was visiting a monastery and having an unhurried, deliberate, edifying discussion with one of the monks about prayer. After every question, he thoughtfully remained silent, and then carefully chose his words. When my time was coming to an end at the monastery, the monk asked me to visit another monk back home. He said that it was okay if I forgot his name, but don’t forget the name of the other monk that I needed to speak to. He reiterated the importance of the other person’s name and how his own name wasn’t important to remember.

Well I didn’t forget either of their names and off I went not thinking much about the last comment. He must have known it was better for me to find the right person and even if I forgot his own name. His fellow monk would put two and two together and know who I was talking about.

Skipping ahead, I’m working with a large group of people trying to serve hundreds of incoming customers. The team of workers know each other, but not all of us know each other by name. We have to work together because our teamwork with one another is critical to our success in serving these customers and being a Christ-like witness.

Occasionally we make quick introductions and small talk with one another and then get back to work. As the flow of customers increases, there’s no time for chit chat and only time for fast paced work. In the rush of work, I was called by the wrong name and I gently let them know my correct name. Not an issue, I get names wrong too and it’s very busy. Then another person calls me by the wrong name. I don’t correct this person and I let it go because it doesn’t matter. We have work to do. Then another person who I was sure would know me by name indeed did not. There were three people all calling me different names, but I didn’t correct any of them as the day progressed into days because it allowed me to reflect on the experience. This is about serving others and not my own personal recognition.

I thought to myself, “my name isn’t important. Why should I insist that people know who I am? I’m not important.” I mulled over these thoughts and contemplated how even John the Baptist was willing to be left behind, forgotten, and of no importance compared to Christ. I then recalled the monk who knew that his own name wasn’t important in the grand scheme of things. It was okay if I forgot him and others forgot about him. He didn’t regard himself worthy of remembrance.

This life is not about me or my success, my mark on history, my legacy, my recognition, my anything. It’s all about Christ. It’s about becoming like Christ and showing His love to everyone. He must increase, but I must decrease.