Abigail Denton

Do you ever feel like there are times when God keeps putting something right in front of your face? Almost as if you’ve casually thought about something before and apparently God wanted more thought about it because he brought it up, and then brought it up again, and then again…well that happened to me this week. First, I’m meeting with a few friends to watch sessions of a conference we went to recently. The topic of the session we picked was comparison. The next morning, I’m reading a book about homeschooling, and guess what the chapter is all about…comparison! Finally, I’m listening to a podcast and the guest is talking about how hard it is sometimes for her to stay focused on the road that God is leading her down and not look around and compare what she’s doing with what everyone else is doing. Ok, I get it. I’ll lean into it a little less casually. So, here we go: comparison.

Let’s start with the definition. A dictionary will tell you that “compare” means: estimate, measure, or note the similarity or dissimilarity. It has Latin roots of “with” and “equal.” Another definition that I found interesting is: “the act of evaluating two or more things by determining the relevant, comparable characteristics of each thing, and then determining which characteristics of each are similar to the other, which are different, and to what degree. How interesting is that? Taking two things and seeing what ways they are similar and what ways they are different and to what degree. 

Psalms talks a lot about comparing, mostly stating that there is nothing to compare God to. Psalm 86:8 says among the gods there is none like you Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. Proverbs talks about comparing wisdom, stating that wisdom is as precious as rubies and nothing you desire can compare with wisdom (Proverbs 3:15). In Matthew 13 Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed and yeast in bread dough. Something seemingly so small that grows into something much larger than its original size. 

Comparison is a sort of abstract concept that is hard for me to define. It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around and articulate what I believe about this topic. But as I’ve studied it, I’ve found a pattern of sorts in my own life. I’ve been processing the places and times that I compare myself to others. I have found that there are two tracks of security that I can find, or lose, and I’d like to talk through them both with you. First is the foundation of our position in Christ, if you are a child of God. Let’s start there.

I wrote about our identity in Christ in relation to anxiety recently and you can read about it here. It would be helpful to this first track of security: our position in Christ. If we have crossed the line of faith and are a believer in Jesus both in word and in action; there is a whole level of security. Knowing that I’m a child of God gives me confidence that I’m created in the image of God. I have security in my position before God: He sees me covered with the blood and righteousness of Jesus. Nothing I do could change that, good things don’t make that position better and bad things don’t take away from that position. It’s a covenant relationship, love, that doesn’t depend on me so it doesn’t change with anything I do, or don’t do. There’s nothing to compare this part of my identity with. Nobody is more loved by God than me. Nobody bears the image of more God than me. Nobody is more righteous before God than me. Nobody is more of a child of God than me. We’re all equal before God because Jesus loves everyone. We are all safe and secure and forever loved because of Jesus our Savior.

The second part of comparison is where it gets a little tricky. This part does depend on me. For me, there are 3 different response options. First, I can find security in running the race that Jesus is guiding me through. I can find comfort knowing that He’s put me right where I am for a specific purpose. Second, I can feel insecure because I’m not running faithfully or whole-heartedly. Sometimes I compare myself to others and find my effort lacking. Sometimes I’m made aware of an area that I need to turn over to Jesus or put more effort into. I can’t have security in an area that I’m putting half-hearted effort into or no effort at all. Third, I compare myself to others and find myself being just plain jealous. I want what I see, that house or that ministry or that body. I see a little peek into someone’s world and find my world not good enough. It’s easy to get distracted by what others are doing. To compare what I’ve got going, or what God has given me, and not be content. Basically to tell God that his blessings in my life aren’t good enough. These are my three options, three paths I could take. I could be filled with gratitude and joy for the life that God has given me. I could take time to write out all the things, big and small, that God has graciously given to me. I could also see the areas I need to improve and work on it, make a plan to move forward, ask a friend for help. A thought that makes me compare myself to others might be God’s gentle prompting to show me an area lacking. Is he asking me to put more effort into my bible study? Is he asking me to step out of my comfort zone and start serving at my church? Or the last response: I get ugly and messy and wallow in my self-pity. I see someone with that one thing I want. Or that person that has the gifting that I’ve always been jealous of. I see that person have fruit when I’m not at a fruit-bearing stage. 

It’s so easy to get tangled up in comparison. It’s so easy to forget all the beautiful gifts that God has given me. I have a body that functions, I have a family that loves me, I have a church that loves God and preaches biblical truth. I have a network of friends to help carry me through trials or comfort me when I’m hurting. I could go on and on, and I bet you could too if you took the time to. For me, I’ve been focusing on the two reactions to comparison. I’m going to rest in my position before God as a child of God, covered by the blood of Jesus. And I’m also going to rest in the effort I put in. I don’t make choices lightly and don’t need to feel threatened by someone else’s effort. I’m running my own race and I’m faithfully and whole-hearted chasing after Jesus. If I become aware of an area to improve, I’ll repent of my sin and make a change. I’ll pray and ask God to help me make that rough part smooth and more like Christ. Rest and peace and freedom are found here, in this space.

To end I’d like to give you a word of encouragement. This might be weird for you, but hang in here with me. I’d like to give you a picture I keep seeing about this whole thing. I’m picturing myself on a path in the woods. It’s not super thick woods, so I can see other people on other paths, all winding through the woods. On this path, I’m secure in the fact that I’m a child of God. I am loved by God and nothing can make me any less loved and safe with him. I feel safe and cherished and encouraged to walk forward on this path; chasing with faithfulness and passion the path that God has put before me. I can see what people are doing around me, but it doesn’t change my path. I can see that maybe someone is doing something that inspires me and I change the way I’m chasing Jesus a little. Not moving me off my path but tweaking my walk a little making me more passionate and more faithful. I can see someone doing something that looks awesome, but it’s not what God has called me to and I can cheer her on. I can applaud her journey and send her encouragement and excitement for what God is doing through and in her. Her awesome work is not threatening to me because she’s on a different path. I’ve cried several times thinking about this picture. God giving me this scene has been life-giving and freeing, and I pray it’s the same for you. I pray that God shows you this picture and encourages your heart that you are loved. You are known by God and He’s calling you to rest in his goodness and security. Nothing can separate you from His love. I also pray you feel inspired. I pray this security and freedom gives you passion and purpose to chase after God’s will for your life. To work hard and use your day, each and every day, to worship God with your actions and thoughts, and words. 

I leave you with Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.