Don’t compete, and don’t compare

In scripture, the church is never described as a democracy. Certainly every person deserves equal treatment in terms of kindness, love, and respect, but as our God-given assignments differ, so do our gifts. “It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have” (v. 11 NLT). Pay close attention to the words “He alone decides.” As a parent, you want to see all your children succeed in life. But you recognize that just as their individual talents differ, so do their unique destinies. That’s why it’s a mistake to compete with or compare yourself to somebody else. The Bible says, “God was validating it [the message] with gifts…as he saw fit” (Hebrews 2:4 MSG). Don’t question and second-guess God; He knows what He is doing and never makes mistakes. Even among His twelve disciples, Jesus had an inner circle. He took Peter, James, and John up the Mount of Transfiguration and sent the others into town to work. He didn’t feel obligated to take everybody up the mountain so nobody would feel slighted. Does that mean He loves one person more than another? No, the experience Peter, James, and John had on the mountaintop that day was part of their training for the assignment Jesus was calling them to. There is a lesson here. You have to move beyond other people’s opinions. God made you for a special purpose; He has a job for you that nobody else can do as well as you. When you know that something is right for you, do it and trust God to vindicate you in the eyes of others.