Living a Significant Lifeনমুনা

When I wrote my first book years ago, I was full of hope that it would make an impact and broaden my circle of influence. I even snapped a quick social media pic of me at the post office as I mailed out my first batch of press packets. It felt like history in the making, proof that my small beginning was about to explode into something great.

And then…nothing. Months passed, and not even a note of rejection was returned to me in response.

The disappointment carved me like a knife. But even worse was the comparison.

You see—at the same time that I was waiting for my hopes to be fulfilled, I had friends who were landing publishing deals. Some of them didn’t even have to hustle—the publishers pursued them!

Needless to say, it was a double blow: disappointment AND envy. The memory of that season is the first thing I think of when I read the short conversation between Peter and Jesus in John 21:20-22. Because I can relate so much to Peter’s question:

“But…what about him?” Peter asked.

Journal entries from around the time of that first book release have eerily similar questions:

What about her, Lord?

Will she be more successful than me?

Why is her book doing better than mine?

What’s she doing right that I’m doing wrong?

Do you just like her better?

Like Peter, I was caught in a web of comparison, and it wasn’t pretty.

Here’s the thing: Comparison is a WORTHINESS issue. It’s a trap expertly placed by the Enemy of our souls.

Comparison causes us to doubt, diminish, and deny the goodness of God in us.

We know now what Peter didn’t know then: Jesus would call him the Rock. Jesus would promise to build His church on that fisherman's shoulders. Peter would become the pillar of the early church. He’d have cathedrals named in his honor. He would go on to leave a legacy for the glory of God.

God crowned Peter with extravagant goodness.

And yet, Peter looked enviously at his friend John, who described himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (humble brag). Peter feels doubtful, diminished, and jealous. He is caught up comparing his purpose and potential to the guy next door. He’s petrified that Christ’s apparent open-handedness to John would end up leaving Peter EMPTY-handed in the end. There's not enough “good” to go around. Sound familiar?

The truth for Peter, and for you, is that you are created in the image of Christ Jesus, the image of the King. As His kid, you are chosen and set apart. You are royalty! But comparison never tells you that truth. Envy makes you start acting like a pauper and a pretender. Comparison begins the tumble into the abyss of jealousy and rivalry.

Comparison makes us forget who we are and who we’re following.

Jesus’ response to Peter was plain. “Don’t worry about him. Focus on following me.”

I don’t know where your heart is today. Maybe you’re like I was those many years ago—launching a dream into the world and reaping a return of disappointment and rejection. Maybe the success of others feels like salt on a wound—a sting you can’t soothe.

Don’t worry about them. Focus on the following. Let Jesus soothe the sting. Not even your own success can do that. Follow His words of encouragement and fix your eyes on chasing after Him.

Trust that God’s plans and purposes for you are custom-made–that they are crowned with extravagant goodness. And that, like Peter, God intends to build His church on shoulders like yours. He already has the plans for your life, a cathedral laid out, and if you trust him today, He will lead you and use you in ways you can’t even comprehend right now. NO…to comparison. And YES to a legacy for the glory of God.

REFLECTION:

How can you shift your focus from comparing to trusting in God’s unique plan for your life, knowing that He has a custom-made purpose and legacy for you?