I remember reading a short little ditty-3 words- but can’t remember where I read it (I think it was from a Chuck Swindoll book) :
Comparisons are odious.
Comparisons are bad. Truth be known? We spend way too much time comparing, not living our lives, of comparing ourselves to others.
We compare looks. Physical features. Size. Skin color. Hair style. Shape.
We compare wealth. 401K. Retirement lifestyle. RV’s. Actions and activities.
We compare families. Success. Offspring. Athletic prowess. Accomplishments. Careers.
We compare conversion stories. How bad was it before? How dramatic? How sinful?
Comparisons are odious. I’m thinking the only comparisons I should be doing is my need for Jesus. “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.” (You might want to read the whole Psalm 51 chapter). Check out those comparisons!
In Mt. 25, the sheep and the goats are compared-what they did for others. But the comparison wasn’t a battle of wits and words against each other. On the contrary, Jesus was doing the judging. And the comparison was did I or did I not. What did I do for or not do for?
COMPARISONS. ARE. ODIOUS. So…stop comparing.
“Father, you have made me to be me to used by You for You. I’ve been given a great gift-You! Use me for You and You see fit.”
Disclosure: I was inspired to write this because of something Bob Goff wrote: “Comparison will rip your sails, sink your boat, and blame the weather. Don’t buy the lie that an adventure with God is a race with everyone else.” (#252-p.301) I just took the idea in a different direction that he did.
The older I grow, the less I compare myself. I thank God, ’cause it is an awful burden on the heart and mind. I should know, I spent a lifetime doing so.
We have to hope as we mature we compare less. You are right Diane. It is a burden on the heart and mind. One we should never carry and were never meant to carry.
The problem with comparing is that we all play by different by rules, we start at different lines, and the race we all run have different lengths with a different number and different size of hurdles. Comparing is fruitless. The best we can do is keep our eyes on the prize at the finish line and strive to make this lap the best lap we can.
You are right Ryan. It is fruitless. I like your comment about keeping our eyes on the prize.
Comparing ourselves to others is a sheer waste of time and energy. Like Diane, the older I get, the less I do it. I enjoyed reading Goff today, too, Bill.
Blessings!
there are at least three of us then Martha! 🙂 I am really enjoying reading him. I have a plan to pass it on to someone already.