“But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” (Psalm 75:7)
We don’t decide how important we are. God uses all men as He wills, for His own purposes. As great as he was, there was a time for John the Baptist to step down. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) He had paved the way for One greater than himself. Now it was time for him to get out of the way.
We dare not sing, “How Great I Am.” None of us are indispensable. God’s work on the earth was dependent on only one Man – the one greater than John. And the essence of John’s greatness was that he did not exalt himself – he pointed to Christ. “… Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)
God’s demotions are not always because of pride. At times, He sits down His choicest servants. Don’t overstay your welcome. When God says, “It’s time to go,” leave graciously.