Comparison can be a funny thing. I will never forget how it showed up out of nowhere for me early on in my ministry on a chilly fall Saturday afternoon.
I was on a weekend retreat with some youth from my church, and while walking to dinner I ran into a gentleman I went to seminary with, and we had both graduated five months prior. I was looking forward to catching up, learning about where he was serving, and hearing about his ministry.
However, he steered the conversation towards me in a way I was not expecting. He wanted to know about my ministry but only the numbers part of it.
"So," he asked. "How many weddings have you done?"..."How many funerals have you conducted?"..."Have you done any baptisms?"
He then proceeded to give me his answers to these questions without me asking. The larger his number, the prouder he was about it. I started to feel as if he was basing the value of my ministry on numbers. He wanted to play the comparison game, but I was not really interested in being a contestant.
Comparison has a way of making us feel bad. It brings up all the icky feeling.
*Jealousy
*Insecurity
*Greed
*Lack of confidence
*Doubt in God
When we enter into a comparison mindset, we miss out on the joys of life. Instead of being thankful for what we do have, we are dwelling on what is lacking. We need to practice an attitude of gratitude instead.
When we focus on trying to be like others, impress others, or have more than others, we are missing out on the unique plans and journey God has for each one of us. When our eyes are so fixated towards others, they cannot be looking at God.
You do not need to compare, because God did not design your life to be exactly like anyone else.
This week, focus on what God is doing in your world. Look at the ways that God is blessing your life. Pay attention to the little intricate details that represent God's voice, hands, and eyes watching over you. It is ok if you do not do it like everybody else. It is ok if you life looks different than everybody else. In fact, I think it just means you are doing it right!
Let God work and move in you and don't worry about the people, the numbers, the rewards, or anything else!
"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.
In your book were written
all the days that were formed for me,
when none of them as yet existed." Psalm 139:14-16