Advance: Living Unstuck & Moving Forward in FaithSample

Day 4: From Comparison to Purpose:
It is easy to look at other people’s lives and situations, and subsequently compare your life or yourself with others, especially in the age of social media. Comparison kills joy. It keeps you stuck.

In my own life, I have to guard this on a regular basis, because if I just focus on what everyone else is doing, I won’t ever move forward into my unique purpose. 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV) reminds us that, “we do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.”

All throughout the Bible, God used ordinary people to do extraordinary things for Him! There was Moses, who didn’t think he measured up because of his speech impediment. When God called Moses to deliver the people of Israel out of Egypt, he had all kinds of excuses. He said, “But God who am I? I don’t speak eloquently.” God said, “I will be with you; I will help you and teach you what to say” (Exodus 3:11-12). God used Moses to deliver the children of Israel out of slavery and bondage in Egypt!

Gideon didn’t think he measured up because he was too weak. When God called Gideon, he was hiding in a cave and said, “but Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord answered, “I will be with you and you will strike down the Midianites together” (Judges 6:15-16).

Jeremiah didn’t think he measured up because he was too young. When God called Jeremiah, he said, “but Lord I don’t know how to speak, I am only a youth.” The Lord said to him, “Don’t say ‘I am only a youth.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! I will put my words in your mouth” (Jeremiah 1:6-8). God used Jeremiah as a prophet to speak the word of the Lord to the children of Israel at that time in history.

Sarah didn’t think she measured up to God’s promise because she was too old. She was, by most measurements, too old to have a child, but had Isaac at 90 years of age. Sarah “considered Him faithful who had made the promise” (Hebrews 11:11, NIV).

Esther didn’t think she measured up because she was an orphan and a Jew, but became queen and was used by God to save her people. Mary Magdalene didn’t think she measured up because she had a terrible past but she was delivered from demonic spirits, became a follower of Jesus, and was the first to testify of the resurrection of Christ.

Here’s the bottom line: God’s grace fills in the space where you are lacking— where you don’t measure up. Because He is enough, and because He is in you, you have what it takes in Him. Throw away the measuring stick of comparison and realize you are unique for a purpose! God has gifted you for a specific reason. Take an inventory of your gifts, talents, and passions. Then start where you are with what you have. You may think that what you have is not enough, but when you use what you have, God can bless it and multiply it to help others.