I mean the title of this blog post is something we know yet we are all guilty of it, right? Comparison happens all the time. Social media doesn’t help at all. People are either laying out all their garbage on social, so by comparison we think our lives are great or that we have our stuff together. This leads to overlooking our weaknesses. We don’t really care to give them thought. On the other hand, we see someone's “perfect” life and start thinking our life is terrible. Little do we know they have struggles like we all have struggles.
Here is how comparison plays out in my world; I go to a conference and people ask how many people are in your church? Comparison. How many have been baptized or committed their lives to Jesus? Comparison. What is your giving like? Comparison.
"What does comparison look like in your life?"
What does comparison look like in your life? What does it produce in your life? What are the results?
Check out this passage with me:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me." Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"” John 21:18-23
This thought spurs from something Tim Lucas, from Liquid Church, said at a conference. Like I said, this is a place where comparison among my peers happen routinely.
In the passage, Peter just had a really powerful moment with our risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus keeps asking about his love. Do you have deep love for me or just friendly acquaintance type love for me? Through this questioning Jesus is driving Peter to follow Him out of a place of love. Saying, Peter if you love me give me everything, give me your life! Jesus confirms to him, that he (Peter) will one day die in his devotion for the Lord.
Put yourselves in Peter’s sandals. You love has been called into question (rightfully so, you denied the Lord during His trial). You’re face to face with the risen Lord who is driving you to give Him everything. You’re there with your peers. You’ve just been told you will one day die for your faith. It must be uncomfortable. Is it from a state of discomfort that drives comparison?
Isn’t that what Peter does? Isn’t that how he responds? “What about him?” Peter will ask. Comparison.
We do that. In a place of discomfort we look to others. We start to compare. We start to wonder and question. Is that healthy? In those moments is Jesus looking right back at us saying the same thing, “What is that to you?”
In my moments of comparison, do you know how I would respond to “What is it to you?” Silence.
Jesus, You’re right. What’s it to me? I don’t have an answer. This is about me and You. To follow You is not to follow another. You’ve called me to a race You’ve laid out specifically for me. I need to run my race, not the race of another. God forgive me for the sin of unhealthy comparison.
"If comparison drives you away from Jesus as you question your relationship with Him, it’s unhealthy."
If comparison drives you away from Jesus as you question your relationship with Him, it’s unhealthy. Unhealthy things must be pruned away. Get to pruning (cutting away the unhealthy).
Keep your focus on Jesus. You will never go wrong with that. It’s healthy. Run with that. A focus on Jesus drives my need for Jesus.
In Relentless Pursuit of One,
Jason Coache, Lead Pastor of Wellspring Church
