Compare and Contrast

" Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." John 21:20-22 NIV


Growing up, most likely you have learned the technique of compare and contrast first introduced in elementary english and reading classes.The basic foundation of this technique to analyze the similarities and differences usually in two different pieces of literary work with the characters, the setting, etc. It made us hone in on the details of the differences that different things possessed, which I feel carried over to the rest of our lives in different ways.

The Apostle Peter in the 21st chapter of John is engaging with the now resurrected Jesus Christ. In verse 21 Peter brings up the disciple who had the question of who was to betray Him at the Lord's supper. But Jesus had to quickly rebuke him to let him know, he should not be concerned with His plans for that disciple, Peter needs to concentrate on what he has been called to do for the Kingdom. In verses 15, 16 and 17 Jesus, tells Peter 3 times what he needs to do...

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

He was calling Him to enlarge his Kingdom with lost souls that could only be found and delievered through Christ. But Peter's flesh was worried about the other disciple.

This is just an example of how easily it is for us to get caught up in what someone else is doing, our opinions of what we think God should do in their lives, etc. But the simple fact comes to if we are so worried about others, we get the focus off of what we are called and purposed to do for God.

In this day and age it can be easy to get off course, with ever progressing technoology that gives, friends, families and even strangers, insights on one's daily tasks, places visited, etc. The everyday whims of twitter, facebook, etc. will have knowing what people are doing without having a conversation with them.The bumrush of media reporting the whereabouts and every move of celebrities and pubilic figures from what they wore, what they bought, who they were hanging with, etc..

If you let all this effect you negatively, you can be sitting behind your computer screen, in front of your tv, or holding your mobile phone mentally trapped and devasted because you will compare and contrast your life with someone because they are married, not married, have kids, have no kids,in a realtionship or not in one, appearing to be prospering in their finances or are on hard times, you get what I'm saying. This game of compare and contrast can be deadly, not only to your soul, but to the souls that are you called to reach in what God has called you to do.
The Word of God says in Galatians 6:4 NLT ..."Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else."

We are not called to compare, we are called to do what we are made to do.

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[a] faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;" ~Romans 12:6-7 NIV

Let us be mindful of this trap and act accordingly. Seek God and allow Him to reveal to you what you need to do to get out of this compare and contrast game.

~Copyright S.O.U.L.ed Out Creations 2011~