No Comparison

Recently I was reminded of a prayer I prayed in the past.  Back in October, I attended the Rise and Shine Women's Retreat.  The day was wonderful, God was there and hearts were touched.  This was the third year I've been blessed to be a part of this retreat, but this was the first year I was not on the leadership team.  Honestly, it was different to sit in the crowd and be on the receiving end. 

Like I said, the day was amazing.  The worship was wonderful, the fellowship was uplifting and God spoke through the guest speaker, Susie Larson.  I wasn't the only one who felt this way...in the days that followed I heard many comments, all positive and full of praise.

Such as, "This was the best one yet."  "Susie Larson was wonderful."  "I don't think it can get any better."  "God spoke through Susie in a powerful way."  "I don't know if they can top this."  Words of praise and rave reviews.

But after a few days this started to bother me.  I'll be honest...initially that scared me a bit because I didn't want this to be about me.  It was hard to step down from the team, but I know it was a step God led me to.  So when these thoughts first hit I asked God to take them away for fear of them leading to jealousy. 

A few days passed and someone shared, "Susie was the best!"  Again I found myself bothered by the comparisons.  This time I clearly remember stopping and asking God, "Why does this bother me so much?"  Before I go on I want to say God spoke to me in amazing ways through Susie Larson...she truly is a woman filled with the spirit!  I am thankful for her and all God says through her, but I can say the same thing about Renee Swope and Lysa TerKeurst (Speakers in '09 and '10). 

So I sat in silence and waited for an answer to my question.  It was as if God assured me in His eyes they're all the best, but like usual then He asked me a question, "If this comparison thing bothers you so much, why do you do it all the time!?!"

My reaction, "Ouch, that hurt!!"  God's right (isn't He always?!!) I do that all the time and it's always the other guy who is the best!  And those thoughts are ones that bother Him!  He doesn't want me, or you, comparing ourselves to anyone.  We are all made in His image and if we've accepted Him, His spirit can work through all of us.  It's not a competition and I believe Susie, Renee and Lysa would be the first to agree with that statement.

Actually I've heard Lysa say, "We're all on the same team!  Let's work together to make Jesus the star!!"  Friend that's only going to happen when we all strive to be who God made us to be and allow Him to shine through us.  Then we will be our best and the glory will be His!

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:16