The evil of comparison

So recently I’m staying with someone else’s mom, and she’s a great aunty, but well... she’s not my mom. Funny that for some reason, probably because I miss my mom, I compare the two. I’ve been looking for a church family, and having been in the same one for the last 8 years; well it’s really hard not to compare. Then I think but they don’t do worship like we do, they are too this or to that. And so goes the evil of comparision. But you see each mother is unique and special to their own children. And each church is a different manifestation of God’s character. I believe each church, except cults of course, are a reflection of a different aspect of God; like the different colours of the rainbow.

And then there’s Facebook, where you get to compare the ‘perfect illusion’ of the other person’s life to yours. And you feel you don’t look as nice, have as much fun, have as many friends as Sally does. But as they say the grass only looks greener, because there is more poo on the other side! Spend enough time with any person who looks like they have it all together and you will realize they don’t, they can’t otherwise they wouldn’t be human. When we compare and look at the riches, beauty, or talents of others we are envious or greedy. Col 3:5 (NLT) “Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.” Comparison shows that we are not grateful for what God has given us. It shows that there is an idol in our heart, for we secretly think if I only had that I’d be ‘happy’. Not recognizing that Jesus is the true joy giver (Psam 16:11).

I’ve also fallen into the trap of thinking someone else would be better suited to do my job or do a better job than me. But you see God didn’t put so-and-so here, He chose me! He thought I’d be best suited & that is why He has placed me where I am for this season. WOW J Eph 3:8-10 (HCSB) says  ^“This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of the Messiah, and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things.This is so God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens.” Paul is speaking of how despite that he is no-one God chose him to a special work (sharing the gospel to the Gentiles). You see we all have a unique place in God’s kingdom, we are all part of the body of Christ. We cannot say just because we have a different function to Paul, or Joyce Meyer that we are not part of the body. We all are needed! See 1 Cor 12:12-27. 

Another dangerous trap of comparison can be to compare your current boyfriend, or even husband, to your old one- again we need to recognize that God has made each person unique and so each relationship is also different and unique. It is unfair to compare! So let us guard our hearts and minds from comparing.

May the LORD bless you in knowing your unique place in the kingdom

May the LORD keep you with being content where you are at,

May He make His face shine upon you in all you do.

And give you peace by avoiding the comparison trap.