By, Dallita Goins
“Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord,
and what shall this man do?”
John 21:21
Have you ever looked at another woman and thought, "Wow! What a wonderful life she has--fa
ithful husband, good kids, nice house.....I wish my life were so good!"? Chances are, if you have ever perused the annals of Fakebook, er, uh, Facebook, similar thoughts have slithered through your mind. Peter didn't even have to look at filtered photos or feigned felicity to fall prey to this trap of comparison!
What woman among us doesn't want to be known as pretty, creative, kind, charming wife, loving mother, and the crowning virtue of all--humble?!? To be totally and completely honest, I have struggled with comparison my entire life! Being born into a family with siblings seems to breed the sickness! Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Leah and Rachel.....
Deep inside, I really do want to be compared.... and come out on top! And when I don't, I wonder why God has blessed other women more than me and other women seem to have it so good.
Peter is such an encouragement to those of us who struggle with the flesh! Even in this tender moment of Christ extending forgiveness for Peter's denial, Peter is looking at John and comparing himself with him. "What about John, Lord?"
"Will he serve You faithfully?"
"Will his writings be published?"
"Will he have a large congregation?"
Foolishness is comparing me, myself, and I with what God is doing in and with the life of my sister in Christ.
“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some
that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves,
and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
2 Corinthians 10:12
Forsake this frenzy of desiring fame and the facade fabricated on social media!
What should be my focus?
Jesus tenderly responds....
Feed my lambs.
Follow me.
In other words, be faithful with what my Father has entrusted into my hands: my husband, my children, my home, my ministry in His church.