In ministry – especially when you’re stepping out on faith (or even considering it) – you will run in circles of others who are doing similar things. In doing so, you become more and more privy to their journey and what God is doing in their midst.
Ultimately, you begin the comparison game.
God has definitely called them, after all, look how he’s providing for them. Why isn’t he providing in that way for me?
or
They say God has called them, but look at their journey! Do they really think they can handle this? Do they really think it’s this easy?
or
I’m so glad God didn’t call me to struggle in that manner.
The reality is that whenever we play the comparison game: we will either wallow in self-pity and become envious , or we will puff up with pride.
There’s a brief interchange near the end of John’s Gospel when Peter starts playing the comparison game. Jesus explains to Peter that Peter will die against his will. Peter’s response was to immediately look over at John and ask, “what about him?”
Jesus responded clearly, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? As for you, follow Me.” John 21:22 (HCSB)
When we play the comparison game instead of diving head first into what Jesus has called us to do, we effectively take our eyes off of our call, and what God is doing in our midst, because we’re so concerned about what He’s doing in someone else’s.
As for me, I’d rather just follow Him…
