On Sunday, I sat under a teaching from John 21. And Peter’s words to Jesus at the end of that text always get me. Probably because they so often reflect me.
Peter is walking with Jesus. Jesus — the God-man who just rose from the dead. Jesus — the one who has forgiven Peter of his denials and has given him a glimpse into what will come in Peter’s earthly journey. Peter is walking with the resurrected Lord, and he notices John following nearby, so he asks Jesus, “What about this man?”
What plan do you have for him?
In that small question Peter reveals the struggle that so many of us wrestle against. Peter shows our human temptation to stare at, long for, and try to control God’s plan for other people. And God’s answer when we do is always the same.
Jesus responds to Peter, “…what is that to you? You follow me!” It’s like Jesus is saying, “Stop looking at John. Stop looking to figure out my plan for him. Stop comparing the journey I have for you to the journey I have for his life. You, Peter, follow me.”
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
I listened to the teaching and could so easily relate. Because too often the temptation comes to turn my eyes down here onto this world and the journeys happening around me.
Maybe it’s a journey I think I want or a journey I want desperately to change or a journey I long to control. Sometimes it’s out of comparison. Sometimes it’s out of fear. But regardless of the why, turning my eyes onto the journeys of others always pauses my own feet from following after the Lord.
His words to us are the same as they were to Peter. “Stop looking at him. Stop comparing to her. I’m faithfully writing your story, just as I’m faithfully writing his. And yours will be unique to you. You follow Me.”
Fill me, Lord…
How have you struggled with comparison or control?
How would it look today for you to take your eyes off of others and simply follow Jesus?
Lara what a great post! Right now I’m at a crossroads of where God is leading in my life and so often I look at the journey of other people. To see what they are doing. So needed to hear my journey is unique to me. God has a plan for my life but I need to stay focused on Him! Praying that I won’t lose focus.
Thank you, L.C. Each of our journeys is unique. What a gift of our God. Praying you have fresh vision and great strength as you walk the path He’s unfolding specific to you.
My eyes have been down on my feet a long time Lara – thanks for the reminder to look up and that my doing in light of DONE is going to look different from anyone else’s. Control and comparison are so wrapped together for me (insert smart pharmacist idol here) – at once I am crying out to God to show me what my doing should look like and praying that I would be found in Christ.
“Doing in light of DONE.” Ahh, love that. Praying right alongside you, friend.
Thank you, I have a tendency to ask God why others aren’t being Christ like. What can I do to change that and he usually says you need to look in the mirror and fix what you see. God has already written my story I just need to read the pages of his book to find what I shall be doing. Thanks for the reminder
It’s so tempting to try to change people. And I can’t count the number of times (per day/week) God reminds me to just look n the mirror. May He lead us individually, lovingly, and purposefully, Margie.
This passage has spoken to me many times. Thank you for reminding me again, today. My job is to follow Him. Always.
Blessings to you, Natasha.
Lately I have been feeling the call to view my home as my primary ministry. This seems like a humble calling, no glory, no excitement, just working hard to invest in my children and husband in hopes that they can then have an impact in the kingdom of God. This new season has revealed my desire for personal glory, which is sin. I think God is showing me that each calling, no matter how glamorous, is of equal value when it’s lived in obedience to Him. Thanks for the affirmation. I am new to the blog world, but I love what you’re doing here.
“each calling, no matter how glamorous, is of equal value when it’s lived in obedience to Him.” I think I needed this Katie. The Lord is dealing with me on obedience, and this speaks to me. Thank you!
This is so good Lara. It seems I battle comparison on a daily basis. It’s so incredibly easy to just scroll through my Instagram or FB feed and see the beauty and the opportunities in other’s lives. And then to look at my own, in all its mediocrity. It stirs up a longing, an incredibly deep desire, to make something more of my life. Even in places where community is purposed to be encouraging & soul lifting, I find myself comparing & getting that nagging feeling of “not good enough.” I haven’t quite figured out how to battle those thoughts when they arise, and to find joy in walking my own path. What can I say, its a daily battleground. Are there any specific things you’ve found to be of help when you realize you’re comparing?
I think I have read this about 5 times since you posted it. I NEEDED this right now. It is so easy for me to keep my eyes on everything around be except Jesus. On what this friend thinks or that friend does… measuring my decisions by their approval. NEEDING their approval. How that kind of thought keeps me in bondage. THIS moves me toward freedom… so thank you!