Every man wants to be significant. He wants to matter and to leave his mark on the world. The older he becomes, the more critical he is of himself for not having become a “somebody.” He begins to compare himself with others who he believes have made more of a difference in life. This man desperately wants to leave his mark and will attempt to become what others are, because in his mind, everyone else but him is making a difference. This is a very dangerous place to be, and unfortunately many men are living in the land of comparison. It’s a trap that robs you of purpose and joy, pulling you away from God’s design for your life.
Such a man will see an accomplished musician, pastor, prophet, evangelist, teacher, or businessman and will only see his shortcomings. He will only see what he is not. This man has no hope, and his only friend is despair. But there is hope. There is clarity, and this clarity, hope, and purpose are found in the Word of God. It’s no mystery, no hidden secret. I encourage you to open your heart to the Spirit and allow Him to speak to your heart. Sometimes the profound is staring us straight in the face. Sometimes it’s been staring us straight in the face for a long time. This may change your life. It changed mine. Here it is.
God’s Word reveals that your significance comes from loving others, not comparing yourself to them.
It’s not about what we do in life, it’s about how we are to live that life. As always, we look to God as our model. When we do, we find that He loved us and gave Himself for us. In fact, Paul tells us that we also are to “be imitators of God and that we are to walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:1-2). That’s it. Walk in love. It’s not any more complicated than that, but we make it complicated, don’t we? When you focus on loving others, you step out of comparison and into God’s purpose for your life.
Living in the Land of Comparison
We spend countless hours, weeks, or even years trying to figure out what God wants from us. We want to leave our mark on our generation, but we often think, “If I could only be like that person or have that talent, I could make an impact.” What is wrong with this thinking? It is entirely based on what you do, not on what God does. This is living in the land of comparison. It’s a mindset that measures your worth by others’ achievements, ignoring what God says about you.
Love One Another
Jesus commanded us to love one another. He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). Over 50 years later, Jesus’ best friend, John, wrote, “Let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). The evidence that you know God is that you love others as He has loved you. It is not found in who or what you know, nor in the talent that God has blessed you with. Your love for others, not your accomplishments, marks you as His disciple.
Mother Teresa’s Example
Consider Mother Teresa’s example. She began as a teacher in India, but the poverty around her moved her to start The Missionaries of Charity, serving those no one else would. She said, “It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.” She also said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love” (biographyonline.net). Her life shows that love, not comparison, defines a life of impact.
You Are Called to Love
You are not called to live in the land of comparison. You are not called to envy how God uses others. You are not called to rely on your talent. You are not called to spend your life trying to “be somebody.” You are called to love in the same selfless manner as Jesus loved you. You are to be marked by love, and in today’s world, that is the distinguishing mark, one that stands out from the rest. For example, showing kindness to a stranger or forgiving a coworker reflects Jesus’ love more than any worldly achievement.
Escaping the Land of Comparison
How do you escape the land of comparison? Start by repenting of the sin of comparison and allow the Father to show you His way. Focus on loving others, just as Jesus did. Each day, ask Him to show you someone to encourage or serve. Speak words of life. These acts of love break the cycle of comparison and align your heart with the Father’s purpose.
The Impact of Love
Living a life marked by love changes everything. It frees you from the trap of comparison and fills you with the Father’s compassion. Your love for others reflects His heart, drawing people to Him. I encourage you to reject the urge to compare. Love others as Jesus loves you, and your life will become a powerful testimony of His love.