~ CALLED to Inspire ~
Why Compare?
Why Compare?

From very early in life, we are conditioned to compare ourselves to other people. If we’re not careful, our entire lives can bounce from one comparison to another. Who ranks the highest in school? – Who has the happiest marriage? – Who makes the most money? – Who is the most successful? – And the list goes on!

Even in our childhood fairytale we recited, "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?" It is important to recognize, however, that sizing ourselves up to other people can only lead to negative outcomes. We will either 1.) Think more highly of ourselves than we ought (Romans 12:3); or 2.) Become insecure, bitter, or jealous because we feel as if we don’t measure up.

Galatians 6:4 teaches,

"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given [...]. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life" (Message Bible).

The only measure we need is God’s plan
for our lives. Nothing else matters.

Like many of us, the disciple Peter compared his journey to someone else’s. When Jesus revealed how Peter would labor and eventually die for the Gospel, the disciple was not content with merely knowing his own destiny; he wanted to also know John’s:

"Peter turned and saw that the follower Jesus loved was walking behind them [...] he asked [...] ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to live until I come back, that is not your business. You follow me’” (John 21:20-22, New Century Version).

As Jesus noted, other people’s lives are not our business. Rather, our concern should be carrying out the call that God has mapped out for us. God has placed each of us on a unique journey that progresses in its due season (Psalm 1:3). Like Samuel, Timothy, and Jeremiah, some of us will find our destinies unfolding at early ages – but, like Abraham, others of us may see our promise manifest at a later stage in life. Either way, we must “go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't" (Romans 12:6, Message Bible).

Stand firm in knowing that God has not forgotten you. He has something special planned for your life. And if you remain faithful, He will help you carry it out at just the right time.

Written by: Marsha DuCille - Publisher/Editorial Director
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