Over the past three weeks we’ve wrestled with the life-altering sacrifices of life, relationship, and treasure. This Sunday we’ll look at something which lies at the core of our sense of self: our status or standing. Deeply linked to our identity and self-worth, we often seek to protect, promote, and prosper our own standing whenever, wherever, and however possible—sometimes even without knowing it. This familiar line plays on repeat in all of our heads to some extent, “If others don’t know how [smart, successful, important, attractive…] I am, how can I be sure that I am truly someone of worth —that I matter?” Disciples of Jesus, however, are reminded that their status comes neither from their standing in the World or in the Church. When we surrender our status for Jesus, we are declaring that our worth is wholly found in His worthiness. Slowly—through the Spirit’s work—we can learn to say together with John the Baptist, “He must become greater; I must become less.”