Set ApartSample

Day Six: No Comparison

A curious thing happens to many of us who read the story of Mary and Martha. Those of us who are task-oriented feel like there’s something irredeemably wrong with us. Instead of being drawn to sit at the feet of Jesus, we feel like we’re competing with Mary, our sister in Christ. We envy Mary and condemn Martha.

But that’s not the point of this story. 

Jesus is the point. 

Jesus knew that Mary was operating from a position of peace—I am enough—while Martha was operating from a position of striving—I am not enough. He wasn’t saying that one set of giftings isn’t more valuable or honoring to him than another.

We are not competitors for Jesus’s approval or for first place among our sisters. And here’s more good news: we can turn the energy we may have used for unhealthy comparison to help us grow spiritually. 

The Bible commands us to be imitators of God. “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1–2). We are called to look to Jesus, examine whether our life looks like his, and make changes empowered by his Holy Spirit. This is a process of comparison, but it’s not a competition.

I compare my life with Christ’s and know that I don’t measure up; this makes me sad, but it doesn’t make me envious. The kind of sorrow I experience when convicted by sin doesn’t lead to shame or fear but to life.

The Bible says, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Worldly comparison poisons us, but comparing our lives to Jesus and letting God the Holy Spirit transform us “into his image with ever-increasing glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18) causes us to mature spiritually and experience more of the abundant life Christ died to give us (see John 10:10). 

Lord Jesus, you know how hard it is for me not to compare myself in toxic ways. I confess my complete dependence on you to change me from the inside out. May the truth of your Word go deep within me, so that I can serve and love without poisonous comparison. In Jesus’s name, amen.