I can get caught in the compare-game. God and I have been working on this for a while. It can seem quiet and then bam! I’m there again, comparing myself/my situation to somebody else’s. I’ve caught myself comparing homes, finances, vacations, churches, friends, struggles and even our children – to name just a few. I’ve questioned opportunities God’s given me compared to other’s opportunities. It’s a bit like whack-a-mole. It just seems to jump up in different places. And I’m there, whacking away at a game that doesn’t have a prize.
God isn’t surprised when my ‘compare’ pops up but He reminds me that it is an exhausting, no-win game. I forget who He is while I play that compare-game.
Galatians 5 shares how Christ has set us free to live a free life – a way out of no-win games.
When we are living in His freedom, we are able to see it – like fruit in an orchard. We’re living with affection and exuberance for others, with serenity and compassion, with a sticking-to-it’ness. We’re treating people (and things) with a basic holiness, with a loyalty, and not forcing our way. We’re wise with our energies.
It’s not legalistic but we ‘get’ to live this freedom out – daily, in the details – being led by the Spirit. We are living this free life out as a community and we are experiencing it as a church! Don’t we all want more of this freedom?
And then this line jumped out – Galatians 5:26
That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse.
We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. (the Message)
So the compare game can happen anytime – we don’t become immune. As Pastor Ken says, ‘it’s like 2 ditches’. Whether I put myself in the ‘I’m better ditch’ or the ‘I’m worse ditch’… neither are good and neither bring freedom. And the time I’ve wasted in the compare game – that’s just time lost.
Thankfully, because of Jesus, we don’t have to stay in the ditch.
Thankfully, the Spirit helps keep us out of the ditch.
Because, God has far more interesting things for us to do with our daily lives.
We are originals. Un-comparable. Meant to live out our unique lives with the Lord.
Let’s walk alongside one another and inspire each other. Let’s cheer each other on.
Not compare ourselves.
We have better things to do!
Consecrated people have no need to compare, they know whose they are and what purpose they are for.
If you are comparing, how is this distracting you from being consecrated?