Comparisons

 

Comparing things is a way of life. When we go to the grocery store, everything becomes a matter of comparison. This mango looks fresher, bigger, and nicer, than all the others. This package is a better deal according to price per unit. Sometimes we compare generic to brand name to see which we prefer. This line is shorter so it might be (ha!) faster. My advice for lines is, get in any line that I’m not in. I have a way of choosing the longest line – no matter what I do!

In reality, there’s nothing wrong with being “choosy” about our purchases. In fact, in some ways it involves being a good steward of our hard earned money. It gives us a sense of satisfaction to have not just settled for the “this will do” things in life.

Unfortunately we do the same thing with people. Here’s where we get into trouble. It causes division, racism, fights, division, anguish, and all kinds of depressive disorders due to comparison caused low self-esteem. Unfortunately, most of what we are doing is simply averaging, hoping to just end up better than someone else so we don’t see ourselves on the bottom.

Comparison, to be justified, needs a usable standard. As teachers, we go through several evaluations throughout the year. They may be scheduled, or just impromptu. They both serve the same purpose. The teacher is scored according to a set rubric that show categories of achievement. The skills desired are listed and defined. There's always room for growth, but you desire to be toward the top. I think teaching is one of the only occupations where you are never really good enough. Oh, well, it's part of the job.

For life it’s not so easy. There are many different standards and little agreement among them. Some just try to do more good than bad; some just try to be as good as the next guy. Others claim there are no absolutes, so do what you think is right. Then there is the group that has just given up.

As a Christian, the Bible say that our identity (and our worth) comes from a relationship with God himself. If we seek to please Him, we will have no need to compare ourselves to others. It doesn’t mean we will always measure up the metric, but leaving it the hands of the Just Judge can help take away the debilitating fear of competition we often face. If I please God, what else matters? What someone else thinks becomes less and less important. I am not saying that our friends shouldn’t give advice or help at times, but the focus needs to be on pleasing God, not men. It is the “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” as found in Matthew 25:21 that I am looking for.

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves.

When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves,

they are not wise.   2 Corinthians 10:12 NIV