Comparisons

As human beings it comes very natural to us to compare things, and even though that's not necessarily a bad thing - it can be.  It really depends on what you are comparing.  For example, if you're comparing the cost of groceries bought from Publix or Neighborhood Markets - well, that could really help your budget!      If you're comparing Alabama football to well, any other team - you get the picture, and I digress.  :)  

Unfortunately, too often  I compare myself to others, which was / is not a good thing! When I served as a Kids Minister, I even compared myself to other Kids Ministers!  I was always looking at what other Ministers were doing in their churches, not to get great ideas, but  instead I'd question myself, wondering if I'm doing enough, or doing the "right stuff"; sometimes I even wondered if I was supposed to be in ministry!  These were not healthy comparisons.  

I'm reminded of a time in Scripture when Jesus was speaking to Peter and asked him how much he loved Him; Jesus actually asked him three times. Scripture says that Peter was hurt that Jesus would feel the need to ask more than once. But, of course, Jesus had His reasons.  I think He wanted Peter to dig deeper, to sincerely search his true feelings and the motives for why he was following Him.          (John 21:21)

After Jesus' questions, Peter then turns around to see John standing there and he asked Jesus, "What about him?" 
Jesus said, "...What is it to you? . . . As for you, follow me." 

In other words, maybe Jesus was saying - don't worry about what someone else is doing, or what they have, or what My plan is for them; you do what you know to do.

I read the accounts in Matthew, Mark and Luke about the time Jesus asked His disciples "Who do people say I am?"  They responded, with probably the common answer, - John the Baptist, Elijah, or a prophet.   Then Jesus asked the same question to the disciples and Peter replied, "You are the Messiah!" 

Jesus said to Peter, "You are blessed! . . . My Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being." 

Why would Jesus do that? Why would He ask what "the people"  believe, and then ask His disciples that same question? 

I think, because - while it's not necessarily wrong to know what others think, we need to have our own thoughts!  I need to know in my head and my heart who Jesus is, and I need to have a personal relationship with Him based on the Holy Spirit's leading and teaching.  

I heard of friend say, the church isn't influencing the world, the world is influencing the church.  I believe that statement holds a lot of truth!  It's time for believers, for followers of Jesus Christ, to take a stand!  We need to stop worrying about what "others say" about what we believe and how we live, and live like we know what we believe and trust the One we follow!  Yes, I need to care about others, I need to love others, I need to share Jesus with others - but how can I do that if I don't know Him personally and trust Him completely?!  Looking to others isn't going to teach me how to do that - only God can!  It is with HIS strength I can love others, live for Him and lead others to Him! 

Oh my, how I shudder to think how often Jesus has looked at me to say'  "What's it to you?"   He is probably saying,  "Look at ME and compare your life to Jesus."  I know that I'm to be in this world but, not of this world. I'm to live by Jesus Christ example!  

I wish I had learned the comparison lesson earlier in life and ministry. And, I'm not saying I've conquered the need to compare - but I am better.  I've learned that to compare, is okay - but I have to stay in my lane, on my path, and remember this is MY journey.  I've learned to look and learn and move on.  

I've learned to "trust in the Lord and lean not on my own understanding!"