DAD'S RAMBLINGS – BEING MYSELF
"For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." (II Corinthians 10:12)
What is it among us humans that we must keep comparing ourselves with other people? Paul said that it is not wise to do this.
Comparing ourselves with others takes various forms, but there are two results that come from it. The first kind of comparison leads to pride. If we compare ourselves with others is to make ourselves look better than we are, we end up looking down on other people. If I can find someone who I think is inferior to myself, then it makes me feel better. We find this often when people think about sin and the need of salvation. People think they are okay because they are not as bad as someone else. I can justify my failures if I compare myself to someone who has failed worse than I have. I can always find someone who is not as good as I am.
The second kind of comparison leads to inferiority because I am comparing myself to someone who is better. Instead of being confident in who I am and God's work in my life, I feel that I am below standard because I am not as good as someone else.
Either way, it is not wise. The wise person has a good sense of who he is – not better and not worse than someone else – but a person who is growing in his own skin to be conformed to the image of Christ. Paul wrote to the Romans that they should not think of themselves more highly than they ought to think, but to think soberly or honestly with proper judgment about one's self, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith (Romans 12:3).
There is real freedom to be myself if I am not concerned about how I measure up to others. I am content to be what God is forming me to be, while being discontent with myself because I am not all that I should be. He knows best what He wants me to be and He will accomplish what He wants through me.
Love, Dad
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