So, I’ve heard it said that comparison is the thief of joy. This statement is all too true. But how often are we tempted to compare our journey with those of people around us. We constantly gauge our progress with where others are in their lives. I hate to keep blaming social media, however, more times than not it can be the culprit. It’s so easy to see the perfectly filtered snapshots and harshly judge our unfiltered ones. There is an important factor that is overlooked when we compare ourselves though. You don’t know the other person’s journey. You’re only seeing them celebrate at their finish line.
God has constantly been reminding me to “run the race set before YOU!” I must remember to keep my eyes focused on Jesus. Long-distance running provides the perfect illustration of this. As a high schooler, I participated in track and cross country. The coach was always telling us to “Run your own race”. In long-distance running, it’s easy to get caught up in the pack. The temptation is to run alongside someone and keep up with them the entire race. But this could be detrimental to your racing strategy. If you run at someone else’s pace, then you could tire early before finishing. For example, they may have a longer stride or exert a boost of speed at a point in the race that differs from yours. The avid runner knows the importance of remaining steady and keeping a pace that their body is accustomed from daily practice. This way you’ll finish strong.
God has set each of us on our own race. He has plans and purposes that He wants each of us to accomplish in His timing. It is important to keep our eyes focused on Jesus. We shouldn’t look to the left or right at our co-laborers. We are not to outpace God and try to move ahead of His timing. Instead, we should trust that He who began a good work will see it to completion. He wants all of us to win! As we run alongside Him, He promises to help you finish your race.
Be encouraged! 😊
Scripture References:
Galatians 6:4-5 (NLT) “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”
Hebrews 12: 1-3 (AMP) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
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