Stop Comparing to Others

Job 39: ¹³ “The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully,
    though they cannot compare
    with the wings and feathers of the stork.
¹⁴ She lays her eggs on the ground
    and lets them warm in the sand,
¹⁵ unmindful that a foot may crush them,
    that some wild animal may trample them.
¹⁶ She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers;
    she cares not that her labor was in vain,
¹⁷ for God did not endow her with wisdom
    or give her a share of good sense.
¹⁸ Yet when she spreads her feathers to run,
    she laughs at horse and rider.

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Self-conscious about my abilities, I crept into my half of the cubicle. I share a space with another college grad and we both were inexperienced. When introductions came around, I remember the genius acting people spewing out their credentials which made me feel thoroughly inadequate. “How am I going to make it here?” I asked myself.

• Sometimes I feel inadequate.
• Sometimes I feel lost.
• Sometimes I feel everyone else can do things better than me.

When I looked at what everyone else was doing I felt even worse. I mean it was nothing but brain power around me and I enjoyed one card game too many in college. BUT GOD saw something different.

• GOD said to me “Beautifully and wonderfully is how I made you.”
• GOD said to me “I made you in my likeness.”
• GOD said to me “I gave you a measure of faith and it is good.”

The selection process of my mind, body and soul was GOD’s. Whenever I compare myself to someone else, I am saying to GOD, “You don’t know what you are doing!” GOD gave me the ability to follow HIS wisdom and HIS might and not depend on mine. Once I realized this, I began to study and soon GOD elevated me up and out of the organization.

I realized, I need to focus on GOD’s wisdom, not mine.

• Are you feeling inadequate?
• Do you think other people are smarter, faster or stronger than you?
• Can you stop comparing yourself to others and focus on the greatness GOD has place in you?
• Will you stop trying to take credit and give GOD the praise that is due to HIM?

Relying On My Wisdom

Job 28: ¹² But where can wisdom be found?
    Where does understanding dwell?
¹³ No mortal comprehends its worth;
    it cannot be found in the land of the living.
¹⁴ The deep says, “It is not in me”;
    the sea says, “It is not with me.”
¹⁵ It cannot be bought with the finest gold,
    nor can its price be weighed out in silver.

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²³ God understands the way to it
    and he alone knows where it dwells,
²⁴ for he views the ends of the earth
    and sees everything under the heavens.
²⁵ When he established the force of the wind
    and measured out the waters,
²⁶ when he made a decree for the rain
    and a path for the thunderstorm,
²⁷ then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;
    he confirmed it and tested it.
²⁸ And he said to the human race,
    “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
    and to shun evil is understanding.”

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I was the smartest, bravest person I knew. I mean I had just received my first promotion and I was now only twenty two levels beneath the CEO. I was confident in my world and no one could tell me otherwise.

• Sometimes I think more highly of myself.
• GOD wants me to value HIS power.

• Sometimes I think it’s my wisdom that got me where I am.
• GOD wants me to know it is only HIM who raises people up.

• Sometimes I think I can make it on my own.
• GOD wants me to rely on HIM and turn things over to HIM and let HIM do a marvelous work.

Seeking wisdom means seeking the fear of the LORD. I don’t mean to view GOD as a sadistic moniker rather I should place HIS values higher than my ambitions, relationships or status. GOD understands the way to wisdom. I will follow HIM to HIS fruit.

Recognizing Where Talent Comes From

1 Kings 10: ⁴ When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, ⁵ the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.

⁶ She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. ⁷ But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. ⁸ How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 

⁹ Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness.”

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As the fancy cars pulled up, I marveled over the list of names who paraded in the caravan.  The CEO and top officers met with Wall Street and the media was there in full. I sat there with my eyes opened wide as their smooth answers flowed from their lips. Someone mentioned, “Millions of dollars are sitting on that stage right now.”

I then got intimidated.  How was I going to ever reach that?  My career seemed hopeless so I went back to my cubicle and pouted.

• When I think I am responsible for reaching the top, I can get intimidated.
• When I set my goal on being at the top with my own skills, I can get intimidated.
• When I look at others with envy, I can get intimidated.

Sometimes I see the rich and famous and wonder, “How did this person get where they are?” “I mean they can’t think their way out of a wet paper bag” is usually my envious insult. “And besides, they aren’t even using the money to glorify GOD” is my added judgment. BUT GOD wants me to act different.

• GOD wants me to praise HIM for someone else’s talent.
• GOD wants me to be excited to see how HE raises people up to places only HE can reach.
• GOD wants me to recognize the talent HE has given me and be excited about where HE has me.

“Get rid of the envy and strap on the excitement” is what GOD says to me. Being excited about life rids me of complaints and generates enthusiasm, encouragement and euphoria!

• Are you complaining?
• Do you have a negative view on life?
• Can you praise GOD for someone else’s talent?
• Do you recognize the talent HE has given you?
• Can you accept where GOD has you?

GOD knows science

1 Kings 4:²⁹ God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. ³⁰ Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. 

³¹ He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. ³² He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. ³³ He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. ³⁴ From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom.

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Staring at the test, my mind raced. “Should I answer the question with my belief?” was my quandary. The question was steeped in evolution and, while I had not been in church, I was taught that GOD created everything. I answered the question the way I was supposed to and received a good grade, but felt a sense of loss, kinda like I betrayed GOD.

• I have strived to be “smart” but I was pointed in the wrong direction.
• I wanted to gain “knowledge” but it didn’t carry faith.
• I desired to “understand” but at the end of each road I was left with more questions.

In my opinion, belief in GOD isn’t as popular as it used to be. Scientific discoveries mixed with the endless possibility of money seem to drown out the message of GOD. It’s easy for me to blend in rather than stand out, BUT GOD wants recognition.

• GOD is the source of wisdom so I must credit HIM with all I know.
• GOD is the source of knowledge for it is HE who made everything.
• GOD is the source of understanding because HE sent HIS HOLY SPIRIT to live inside of me to lead and guide me in HIS ways.

Scholars, business people and those who are highly respected would scoff at my beliefs, approaches and practices. Instead of relying on the world, GOD wants me to ask HIM for direction first. HE even sends unlikely people my way and says “here is your person.” EVERY time I have listened to GOD’s strange ways, I came out on top!

• Are you seeking to be “smart” or “wise?”
• Is the knowledge you are seeking on GOD’s path?
• What will you do with the knowledge you acquire?
• Won’t you ask GOD for wisdom, knowledge and understanding so HE can use your talents for HIS purposes?