My 5-year-old went through his first comparison-crisis yesterday on the playground. He’s the type that likes to show his muscles and prove his super-human strength. So when a 3-year-old friend of his went across the monkey bars all-by-himself — totally amazing by the way! — he fell into a comparison pit.
For the next 20 minutes he became part-monkey while asking me to watch. He climbed poles and scaled plastic walls in efforts to show his incredible skills. Even when we got home he ran outside to see if he could climb to the top of our swing set.
But I could see his little heart somewhat crushed by my amazement at our 3-year-old friend. So I praised him and reminded him of my love. Then I told him (again) how God made him special and gifted him in his own ways.
Though sadly, I saw a glimmer of the me from years past.
The me that used to find my identity through comparison.
It’s so tempting. It’s so easy to look at what everyone else is doing. And if they are doing it better, then we naturally feel the need to prove ourselves…or crawl into a hole of misery. Whichever best fits our personality.
But if we clamor to do what someone else is doing or be who someone else already is, then we miss our individual call. We miss what He has for us in this day, with our gifts, in our homes, and to our little world.
This adventure with Him is too good to waste our time trying to be what we’re not. And it’s too good for half-hearted devotion. Let’s set our gaze fully on Him today. Our true identity comes as we walk intimate with our Maker.
Fill me, Lord…
What truths from His Word lift you out of the comparison rut?
Thank you, Lara. So simple, but profound. Gotta love the picture. 😉
Isn’t that picture great?! The look totally captures what happened with my own son.
So true, Lara. Such a solid reminder. I am thankful to have read this today. Bless you, sweet sister.
Bless you, sweet friend. I need the reminder as well. 🙂
The comparison rut is one that I’ve practically lived in over the years. It is so hard to get out of! Henri Nouwen is a great one to read in those times, and the Psalms.
I’ve never read any of Nouwen’s works. I’ll have to add one of his books to my list of things-to-read. Any suggestions?
Life of the Beloved is wonderful, so is Here and Now. I have read a couple more and they are all amazing, in my opinion.
Psalm 139….
He knit ME together in my mother’s womb. I am beautifully and wonderfully made!!!!
I love Psalm 139. I go back to it often!
Lara, today’s ODB verses are from Psalm 139. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are God’s precious treasures. HE created US for HIS purposes. What a high honor to be HIS CHILD.
It’s the highest honor. If only we could grasp the implications of our identity when life gets rough. Thanks for sharing.