22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison). 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 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.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 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. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” 31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:22-36 – English Standard Version)
John’s disciples and a Jew came to John and said to him, “Look, Jesus is baptizing and everyone is going to him”. They were reminding John that he is losing his influence. As part of our human nature, we get jealous easily. We have pride and think that we deserve more. Since 2011, I struggle seriously at workplace. I question about the ways that the management managing the staff. I get frustrated about the lack of support and unrealistic expectations from the management. I am disappointed as my effort is not being recognized. I see the work environment as toxic, which is affecting every part of my life. I lose balance. This is the most stressful period in my life. Most of the frustrations arise because I think I deserve more. I should be treated better and my life should be better. “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven,” John said. This was how John responded to his disciples when they questioned about his authority. I do think I deserve a better job and I can probably be a good manager. I need a chance. But maybe it is not the time yet. When that day comes, things will change. What I need to do until that day comes is to humble myself and turn my eyes upon Jesus. When I start fixing my eyes on Jesus, the joy of mine that is prepared by God can be completed.
“A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.”
