It's Not A Competition

I was recently able to see some friends I hadn't seen for several months. Beforehand, I was worrying about what they would say when they saw me, questions they would ask me, and how they would react/respond to my answers. I was worried they would think that where I was in life, what I was doing or not doing, and where my walk with God was wouldn't be enough for them. Before a met up with them, these worries took away some of the excitement I had in seeing them. Of course, when I did see them it was such a special reunion.

The trip helped to start a change in my perspective.

Often, when we've walked with God for a while, we'll have heard phrases like, "Life is a journey" and "We're all in different spots in our walk with God". But when it comes down to it, I have to make myself believe it. I see influencers on social media or YouTube and their lives look perfect. I see friends a couple times throughout the week and they seem to have it all together. But of course I only trick myself into believing this lie!

Most likely, I'm not seeing them at their worst. We all, myself included, like to put on our best and hide the ugly parts of our lives, when we're around other people. It's natural and normal. But it makes us all feel isolated and like we have to meet this impossible standard to make our lives look and be perfectly perfect. It makes us feel like it's not ok to struggle and battle through things. We want to always be growing in our walk with God and building our character, our love for Him, and our love towards others. It's a lifelong process though.

Through that time with my friends, I realized my struggles won't always be their struggles, that the lessons God is having me learn and walk through won't always be theirs (at least at the same time in life). When we're busy comparing, our perspective is off. We're focused on what someone else has that we don't, when God is focused on the big picture. He sees how one person's life can effect another person, who can then go on to effect another person etc. and how we all can be a small part in reaching the world for Jesus/sharing the gospel.

I also realized that even when we don't see growth, every single moment/choice in a day adds up and it's only when we look back over the weeks, months, and years will we see the growth and pruning God has done in our hearts. Sometimes when we're stuck in routine, we need someone else who has walked alongside us for a while, to point out the growth in us and show us the wonderful things God has done and is doing in us to make us look more like Jesus. It truly is a beautiful thing how God breaks us down to remake us more into His image. And I'm thankful He does and that He hasn't just left us to our sinful ways.

Our daily wins, no matter how small they seem to ourselves or others, are another puzzle piece to the life God is creating for us. Every good thing we do is a gift God has given for us to walk in and is done only by HIS power working inside us. And every hard thing or mistake that we make can be turned into a good thing when we allow the Lord to shape it to grow our character.

We shouldn't be in competition with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We're on the same team! When someone becomes a believer, a bond is formed, because of the blood of Jesus, that is stronger than any family bond. Family and friends can reject us. But when we repent, turn from our sins, and accept Jesus as our Savior we become a child of God, and nothing can separate us from Him or take us out of His family.

1 Corinthians 12:12-31 are some of my favorite verses. When I'm comparing myself to other believers and wanting to be like them (instead of who God is making me into), these verses remind me that the gifts/talents God has given to me are just as important as someone else's gifts and talents. God chose to give that person the ability to do specific things. For reasons, I'm not always aware of, He doesn't always give me the capability to have those same specific giftings.

When we are solid in knowing who we are in Christ, we can come together to help reach the lost and bless other believers. This brings glory to God and I think it makes Him happy too. :) It also is an example to the world of how powerful and life-changing His love working in and on us is.