Have you ever caught yourself scrolling through Instagram thinking “gosh I wish I was there, I wish I had that, wish I looked like that, wish I could do that…” thoughts are endless, right?
I’m right there with ya. Insta-stories definitely are the worst for me. You know, it so easy to look at others lives and compare their life to yours.
This weekend, some girls from our squad got together for a ministry event. The event was for girls in the Agape Home to encourage them in God’s love. I saw all of my teammates loving on all of the kids so well whether that was through sharing life stories, facilitating activities, or just interacting with the kids.
You know, it all got me thinking, it’s easy to look at someone from my squad and say “gosh I wish I had the ability to speak as good as she does in public.” Or to say “I wish I could explain instructions as clear as she does, or love the kids as she does,” but there’s something the Lord taught me about this mindset….
This mindset is a trap of comparison, and comparison always leads to a path of resentment of God’s goodness in others lives. While all along we are ignoring His blessings in our own lives.
Comparison was a struggle for Jesus’ disciples too. In John 21 Peter struggled with comparing himself to John. John was known as the disciple whom Jesus loved. That’s a loaded statement y’all.
And after Peter denied Jesus three times, he probably felt like he had a lot to live up to. But regardless, Jesus said “Follow me” to Peter.
Peter hesitated and said but wait Jesus… what about John?
Peter instantly compares his life with John’s. When all along Jesus has a specific path for Peter and He said “Follow me.”
Peter was measuring his worth, value, and mission to Johns. He couldn’t fathom that his mission was also equally important.
How often do we do that?
How often do we say wait Jesus what about _________? While all along Jesus is saying “FOLLOW ME. I have a specific path for YOU!”
So how do we overcome this? What’s the secret to overcoming comparison?
CELEBRATE OTHERS.
Once you have realized these two things:
1. You have a universal calling
2. You have a unique calling
You can live in free from comparison and instead live in celebration.
Maybe you’re thinking, I don’t know my calling, so how do I figure it out?
Great question.
•Your universal calling is to become more and more like Jesus as we follow him daily.
•Your unique calling is the specific way God has called you to glorify Him.
Think about this:
What are you most passionate about?
What are your strengths/gifts?
What do you naturally love?
If we go back to John 21, as it pans out Peter grasped that his universal calling (which is ours as well) is to keep our eyes on Jesus and follow the race He has marked out for us.
Peter also understood that his unique calling was that the next time he got in a life and death situation, he would not deny Jesus and that through the way he would die, many would glorify God.
When you know who God created you to be, you can walk in your calling and celebrate others in theirs.
Together let’s reveal the secret of overcoming comparison by celebrating others in who God created them to be AND follow Jesus in glorifying Him and who He created us to be.
