Letting Christ Grow: Our Vocation in the Field

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt that little tug—that whisper of comparison? Maybe you see a fellow missionary having a breakthrough, or perhaps a friend is excelling in their calling, and for a fleeting moment, a little bit of that old, familiar spirit of comparison creeps in. It’s natural, isn't it? We are taught to be humble, to be Christlike, but the flesh is tricky.

Recently, I was pondering a powerful passage from John 3:30—John the Baptist declaring, “It is necessary that He increase, and that I decrease.”

It’s a profound statement, isn't it? It takes a spirit, a Spirit-filled kind of heart, to say those words. John was in the process of preparing the way, and as the light—as Jesus—grew brighter, his own spotlight naturally had to dim. It’s a perfect illustration of the gospel work itself: we are not the destination; we are the pathway.

This message resonated deeply with me because it speaks directly to the heart of being a disciple anywhere, all the time. We are all in the work, whether we are in the MTC, serving full-time, or right here in our own homes as Internet missionaries. We are all contributors to the great unfolding of the Kingdom.

The Danger of Comparison in the Work

The transcript highlighted how John’s disciples struggled with this. They were focused on John’s platform, his visibility, rather than the central mission: preparing the way for the Savior. We can all fall into that trap—getting too attached to our own efforts, our own success metrics, or our own visibility in the field.

The key takeaway for us, as disciples of the Latter-day Saints, is this: Our success is not measured by how much *we* are seen, but by how much Christ is glorified. The ministry belongs to the Lord. If a companion, a fellow disciple, or even someone in a different calling seems to be having more success, our immediate, Spirit-led response cannot be envy. It must be joy, and perhaps a deep prayer for them.

A Practice for the Rogue Disciple

How do we actively cultivate this "let Him grow" mindset? It requires intentional spiritual work. When I catch myself thinking, "Why not me?" or "Why are they getting the recognition?" I try to pause and remember that the Spirit guides the whole body. My role is to keep my focus squarely on the Savior. I reminded myself that the Word is proclaimed, and the Kingdom advances, regardless of who gets the spotlight this week.

This principle is something I’ve been working on personally, and I encourage you to take this principle into your own missionary discussions or even your personal study time. It’s a powerful testimony builder!

✨ Mission Prep Skill: Shifting Focus

This week, I challenge you to practice the "Shift Focus" exercise. Whenever you feel a pang of comparison, immediately pivot your thoughts to a scripture study passage or a specific way you can serve someone *else*. Don't dwell on the comparison; immediately redirect your energy toward the Savior's needs. Remember, we are all building the temple of Zion together.

If you want to deepen this study, I highly recommend revisiting the teachings on unity and service found in the Iron Rod. If you’re looking for deeper dives into scripture, check out the Book Clubs or Bible Study Groups in HolyPlaces—it's a wonderful way to build community while studying the scriptures together!

Keep pouring yourselves into the Spirit, my friends. Let's keep Christ central, always.