What is that to you? – a hard look at comparison

Laurel Jean

Jul 25

Whether we like it or not, comparison seems to be ingrained into our very souls...or at least, the very soul of our culture. I never thought I had a significant problem with comparison because I truly love my life and don't obsess over what people think of me...

But the whispers still come...

I'm not doing what she's doing. Does that mean I'm not doing enough? She's writing so many more words than I am...and is doing it better than I am? What's wrong with me? Why can't I seem to keep up?

There are so many people in the Bible that fascinate me, but Simon Peter takes the cake. My soul has a good laugh (or sometimes a good cry) whenever I read about him because he's just. so. relatable. I'm glad I'm not the only Jesus-adoring soul who talks too soon, too much, and too thoughtlessly. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has had to work through my own unfaithfulness to realize Christ's faithfulness is unfathomable.

And I'm glad I'm not the only disciple Jesus had to call out of the comparison game.

In the last chapter of John's account of the gospel, Jesus has just told Peter, "Follow me." And what does Peter do?

What most of us do, honestly.

He turns around and looks at someone else.

John. The beloved disciple. The favorite. The one who didn't deny his Lord three times after vowing to die for Him. The one whose seeming perfection likely made Peter feel more ashamed than he already was.

"But what about him, Jesus?"

I can just see Jesus turning to Peter, looking him straight in the eyes, and replying,

"What is that to you? You follow Me."

Jesus doesn't ask us to look to those around us for condemnation or validation. He simply calls, simply and clearly, for us to walk after Him.

What is it to me if my journey looks vastly different than the lives of those around me?

I'm to follow Him, and that is all that matters.

Let's jump out of the comparison game, friends. Let's take a hard look at ourselves in the light of God's word and leave the clamor of the world behind. There's only one Voice whose approval truly counts.

Laurel