No Comparison

Life can truly be difficult at time, can't it? Sure for obvious reasons, every one would agree. You look at situations and circumstances, and no matter who you are, you would look and say, "Wow."

For the rest of the time though, I think we make life difficult through the simple act of comparison. I'm the worst at this... and have been for as long as I can remember, sadly.

It an increasingly competitive time and the massive advances in technology and lifestyle, it's hard not to look at other people's journeys and wish you were in a different place or that your journey wasn't what it was. Not just in every day life, but also in matters of faith. We can wish we were more spiritually mature, more involved and engaged in the church or ministry... more (insert your spiritual battle here)

We make these comparisons from the pew. Pastors make them from the pulpit.

Followers look to their leaders more than Who is leading the leader.
Leaders can fall trap to focusing more than their following (particularly, the size of it) and forget who they are following.

Mentors are awesome and I'm a firm believer in everyone having someone "farther along" in their journey of life and faith speaking into someone else. But at the end of the day, I keep coming back to the encouragement of Paul.

"Follow me, as I follow Christ."

This is not a blind following. We should be close enough to recognize when the one person we follow is amiss in how they follow Christ. If don't fall prey to the trap of comparison and each, focus on our own relationship with Christ, rather than others and where they (or we) may or may not be in that walk, much of life would simplify itself.

Would you join me, as we pray this #associatePastorTuesday. Pray for wisdom; that pastors would know where, when and with whom they serve in ministry together. May they not fall trap to comparison living, but grow and strengthen their faith as they keep their eyes on God. Pray destruction and disaster would be avoided; that pastors would not get caught up in the following, nor would the followers be led astray. May the people of God resist the temptation to live a comparison life to others and focus on what God is doing in our life as we stand in light of Christ.

For we are not conformed to the image of our neighbor,
But the image of our Savior.
That God would be glorified among us
As we live for Him alone.
For He alone is God.

- PNC