Read Luke:25-30 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
He was back. The one who left others to do all the work. The one who had worried Father for practically forever.
Now, he was back. And, by all appearances his time away had not been well spent. And yet, Father was beside himself, running out to meet him before he even darkened the doorway. And, the fattened calf was be killed. There would be feasting tonight.
Why are we celebrating? Why the fuss? Haven’t I done all that was expected? Wasn’t I the honorable son?
Comparisons can kill. They steal life from our hearts, silent our spirits, and ruin our relationships.
God doesn’t want us comparing ourselves to one another. He has a specific plan for each of us. We don’t need to envy other’s gifts and talents, spouses and kids, careers and faith. We don’t need to believe those lies of, “I deserve more,” or, “My life would be so much better if I only had that set of circumstances.”
Comparisons kill by taking the focus off the blessings God has given and pointing to what He has not.
Comparisons kill by halting obedience to God’s plan for my life by my choosing to distractedly daydream about someone else’s path.
Comparisons kill by pushing me into a pit of self-pity instead of fixing my focus on God guiding me down the path He authored.
Compare yourself only to the person you saw in the mirror yesterday. Improve upon that person, her faith, her actions, her thoughts. Above all let God lead. Because when you choose to follow Him, you never suffer by comparison.
Reflections:
Monday: How do I suffer when I draw comparisons? How do my relationships suffer?
Tuesday: What comparison have I been absorbed in, which has succeeded in distracting me?
Wednesday: How can I let it go?
Power verse: Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”
Thursday: How can I be a better person today than I was yesterday?
Friday: Prayer: Heavenly Father, All knowing, all loving, almighty God. In Your wisdom and love, You created me. With all my character flaws, fears, and failures. Yet You see me as You envisioned me when You created me. Because of Jesus, You are not distracted by my flaws. Please help me not to be distracted by them either. Please help me to fix my eyes on You, and spend my time working on becoming who You want me to be, not what I would like to be. Because Your plan is always better than anything I could ever author, Lord. Thank you for loving me and never giving up on me! Amen