This morning I was thinking about a subject I seem to be especially drawn to—the problem of comparison and competition. If we could conquer this one area in our life, there is no telling what we could become, or rather who we could become—our truest selves.
I can only speak from my own experience. As I step into the arena of writing and speaking in a more formal way, if I’m not careful, I can look around and immediately be intimidated. This author has written 5 books…that speaker has been at it for 30 years. And they aren’t only doing it; they’re doing it very well! How can I possibly compete?
Ah—so that’s the problem. The old issue of competition and comparison. Why do I think that I have to compete? As someone recently pointed out, every author had their first book. Every public speaker gave their first speech.
My last blog had to do with this subject. Granted it was a while ago…I’m working on that! But if I listen to my own words, then I remember that I have nothing to prove.
One of my favorite passages of scripture says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith…” Hebrews 12:1,2a, NLT.
These verses are key to the issue of comparison. Using the example of a race, Paul tells us that we need to first get rid of anything that would slow us down in this life of faith. Isn’t this sin of looking at others and evaluating ourselves according to their accomplishments or qualities one of the chief things that needs to go?
And he tells us the secret…fix your eyes on Jesus.
This is not a race that only one person can win. We are all to run our race according to the track that God has set before us. I believe that the Lord has a unique path for each of us. Yet rather than it being a competition, where we would be tempted to want to get ahead, we need to be listening to the Holy Spirit as to the direction that He wants us to go.
In fact, God’s word tells us to do the very opposite of compete. Philippians 2:3, 4 NLT says, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
We are pilgrims on the same journey to know and love God, and to point others to Him. As such our paths will certainly cross. And rather than look at one another as a potential rival, God tells us to love each other and to build each other up.
What would the world look like if we were all to embrace this way of thinking? What if we spent our time running our race, and encouraging others to do the same? I believe it would be very contagious, and that it could change our world.
I am eager to see where God is taking me. So much of the time the life of faith is one of mystery…yet it is exciting and such a privilege! When I’m willing to let go of old patterns and to embrace all that God has for me, I have much more peace and joy.
How about you? God has a plan that is uniquely yours. (Jeremiah 29:11-13) I want to encourage you today to seek the Lord for the path that He is setting before you. The course is tailor-made just for you.
Resist the pull to compare yourself with anyone else. Instead, fix your eyes on Jesus. With your eyes on your Savior, everything else will fall into perspective.
Privileged to run alongside you , Jenny.
Thank you…that makes the journey so much better!