“Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.” – Jon Acuff
God has given each of you a unique Purpose in this life that is wrapped up in Dreams and Goals that will use your Gifts and Talents in ways that show your Love for God and People (Matthew 22:36-40). I encourage you to seek out His path, be satisfied in your journey, and if you find that you want more out of this life, then put more effort into the things that will bear fruit long after you’re gone.
On your journey, it’s good to have a guide who can show you the way and role models that you can learn from. They will help you progress farther and faster than you could alone; however, I would caution you against comparing your achievements with theirs for a few reasons:
- It’s likely that they’re ahead of you on their journey, which is how they’re able to help you along in your way. This is where our quote of the day fits in. If you compare the beginning of your story with the middle or end of theirs, you might start thinking that you should be further along than you are, and that could discourage and maybe even depress you, or you may actually start looking at your guides and role models with envy, and that could destroy your heart, sabotage your dreams, and damage the relationships with everyone around you – not just with your guides and roles models.
- You might be on different paths, and if you start comparing your apples to their oranges, you may begin desiring his/her oranges instead of the apples God prepared for you. This could lead to all sorts of issues, such as your life just not seeming right.
Like the fit like a wool sweater that’s two sizes too small, so will your days be, if you try to go down a path that God didn’t intend. – Dad
- You might have different resources, and that could lead to frustration or waste and regret. If they have more resources and capabilities than you, it’s likely that you won’t be able to achieve as much as quickly as they can, and on the other hand, if you have more available, your comparison to them could inadvertently put a lid on your success, because you only seek to achieve what they did with the resources they had, but God may have bigger (not better – just bigger) plans for you.
My girls, I guess it boils down to this: if you compare yourself to others, there will likely be a negative impact on your life, because God Created you to be you, and He gave you your unique Purpose to fit you, so I Hope and Pray that you will follow your guides and learn from your role models, but don’t compare yourself to them – just walk your walk down your path and Love God & People all along the way.
Challenge Question: Are you comparing yourself to others TODAY?
God’s Word: Galatians 6:4-5, Psalm 23, and Proverbs 14:30
Dad's Wisdom 