Have you ever done that?
I have. One too many times in my life.
It's so easy to do. To look at someone who has it all, and wish. To look at someone who has the life we've always wanted and wonder why we're not there yet.
But when we compare, we are never actually comparing fairly.
Let me explain...
When we're five years old, we don't look at a college scholar and covet his knowledge, know-how, or abilities. And if we do, others look on and laugh. Why am I, as a five year old, comparing myself to an adult who has had years of life experience, exposure to the academic world, and hours upon hours of intense study, and saying, "I'm not good enough, because I'm not him."
And yet, we do it all the time. We look at individuals who are years ahead of our time and wonder why we aren't at the same level.
Or maybe they're not years ahead of us. Maybe they're younger than us, smarter and faster. Maybe they're gifted in everything, and we're not gifted in anything!
Have you considered that God made us all differently? Some have the brains for college at 12! Others have the legs for a marathon. And others still have the patience for a thousand piece puzzle. At the end of the day, who really comes out on top? And, I think the better question is, why does it matter? As I risk sounding indifferent, who really cares?
We are all created equal and in the image of God. He doesn't want us all the same. If he did, he would have made us equally capable of everything. Instead of struggling with our differences, we should be finding ways that we can use our strengths to serve others. Instead of being discontent with who we are because we are not someone else, we should instead rejoice in the fact that we are made in the image of God, and he wants us to rejoice and find our worth in him.
Man this is something that I can't seem to master. It's SO easy to compare myself. Just when I am satisfied that what I'm doing is enough, I see someone else. I measure my growth against theirs. But I don't know *their* circumstances. I know mine. And it's up to me to work with the gifts and talents that God has given me to glorify him.
I know it's easier said than done. Believe me. I need this reminder about every other minute, so I thought I'd write myself a blog post that I could come back and read when I need that ever so present reminder.
Also, I sat down at my keyboard the other day and decided to record I Can Only Imagine. It's rare that I don't blunder or insert a wrong key. But I happened to get it right this time. I'm including the download below. Listen and be encouraged, friend.
Joyfully,
Lauren
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