Pride and Comparison

Here's a Problem

We are engulfed in a culture that highly values winning, and where second place is the same as losing. Our talents and gifts are measured in comparison to those of others. We are told to be the best, and settle for nothing less. The problem is that we cannot all be the best; for each first place winner, there are numerous others who do not measure up. C.S. Lewis once said that " “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man." I spent my whole high school career trying to be the best, and landing somewhere slightly above average. And you know what, I was REALLY bitter about this. I just couldn't win, and until I did, I had nothing to be thankful for.  I don't think that I need to say this, but thinking like this is NOT OKAY. We are not called to proclaim ourselves on this Earth, we are called to glorify God.

Unfortunately, this mindset of "taking first place" transfers into our Christian lives and service. Someone walks in with our similar strengths and gifts, and suddenly "there is not enough room for the two of us," so we try to think of ways to outserve them. "Oh yeah, you work with kids? I remember the time when I watched 9 kids under the age of 5 at once in a 10 by 10 non-child proof bedroom." I wish I could say that I haven't used that line before, but that is exactly why I wanted to write about this. I struggle with this and I don't think that I am the only one. And actually, I know I'm not, because the bible talks about this A LOT.


"So the last will be first, and the first will be last." Matthew 20:16

"Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus," Philippians 2:4-5, ALSO look at Philippians 2:1-11

Many other places too- you should just read the whole thing. 

Here's a Solution

Stop looking at "me" and start looking at Jesus. We were not put on this Earth to succeed, and this is going to sound crazy, but the "pursuit of happiness" is an American idea and not a God-given right. We keep looking for our identity in Earthly success and happiness, but it's just like building a house on sand. As Christians, our identity is not found in or around us, it is found above us, in Jesus.

 "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God, when Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." Colossians 3:3-4

And then! Realize that we are given gifts for the purpose of serving one another. "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:10

Here are a few things that it does not say:

•  "employ it in impressing one another"
•  "employ it in being better than one another"

 Nor is it followed with:

• "so that everyone will know what a good Christian you are."
•  "as good stewards of your awesome gift which is clearly better than other peoples'."

God gives us strengths so that we can point people back to Him! Plain and simple, gifts are not there for the glory of "me," but instead for the glory of "HE."

Side Note: I think that many times, instead of being encouraged by hearing of the spiritual growth or giftings of others, we immediately start to line ourselves up with it. For instance,  the self condemning "Ooh, I suck because I don't think like that" or the self righteous "I learned that lesson a year ago, I'm a step ahead of you there."  This also needs to stop. We should probably just stick with trying to be like Jesus. And then, when we hear of our friend's growth, God can use that in our lives, not as a litmus test of our faith, but as a new perspective, or a way to see Him work in a different way. Let's leave conviction and encouragement to Him. 

Side Note Anecdote: (it rhymes) Once, I heard someone talking about receiving lots of good gifts from God. Here is what should have gone through my head. "Yeah! God does give good gifts!"

Here is what actually went through my head. "So that's who is getting all the gifts!"

Oh my...