Are you someone who can fall into the trap of comparison? Is it easy to look to your right or to your left and see someone who just seems to have more in his or her life – more favor, more talent, more provisions, more to offer? The list could continue. Chances are, if we’re being honest with ourselves, we’ve all taken a secret tally once in a while, sizing up our lot and comparing it with another’s.
The truth is, when we see someone who has a seemingly great grip on a portion of his or her life, be it finances, career, family, love, or faith…we can stop seeing him or her as a brother or sister in Christ, and more like our measuring stick in a self-assigned comparison game. We need to release the burden of such obsession. Release the striving after what isn’t ours, and affirm the specific beauty of what is.
God dispenses distinct gifts and strengths to His sons and daughters. They are not all the same. This is the splendor in His favor. He spreads out the facets of His character on all who are His. What he entrusts to you and to me may be different, but he entrusts us to it. We are to be stewards of His beloved blessings. We are to take what has always been His, and use it solely for His gain and glory. Furthermore, we are called to take every amount within us, in all areas, and use it to glorify His name. Regardless of measure, whatever we possess was first given to us. We are not entitled to a certain amount of wealth, or “success”, or talent, or even strength. But we are lovingly given beautiful endowments to enrich our lives and the lives of those around us. Remember the Sunday School song “This Little Light of Mine”? Are we to hide it under a bushel? NO! Even if we don’t think it’s as bright as the light the other person is holding? Or as crisp a shine? Or as large a contribution? No, child…no. We are given light in our lives that it may shine.
Please turn to 1 Peter 4:7-11.
Particularly, verse 10 of the NIV, 2010 version relays, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (emphasis mine). Read the entire passage once more. Slowly, and aloud if you’re in a place where you are able. Absorb what God is saying through Peter. Each one of us has specific gifts, yes, even in specific amounts, to benefit one another! Yes, the ultimate end is to praise and enlarge the name of the LORD of Lords. However we are to enrich one another along the way, not hinder one another in jealousy or comparison. Be hospitable; fervent in love, not lacking. Serve as to Him – as His favor is the only one worth striving for.
Remember this as well, even if you are given one measure of a gift, and another is given double the measure, you are to offer every ounce of yours directly back to the giver. It is an act of worship, of love, of honor and thankfulness. Stop looking to your right and left. Look vertically. Focus on the Most High. All we are made of, every blessing and favorable portion, is from the Creator. You are exactly who you are supposed to be. He envisioned each of your gifts, your offerings, your levels of personality and character, long before you were born.
Release the preoccupation with wanting to have more, or wanting to possess different strengths. Give everything away – because this is exactly what Christ did for us upon the Cross. He held onto nothing. He emptied Himself, that we may overflow in grace and mercy. Pray for the strength to accept, and then to offer back. In honor and glory to our Savior, let all the people say, AMEN.
Written by Leigh Kay
