The True Measure of Comparisons

Since I wrote my last post, I've been pondering how we are to view ourselves.  And having trouble coming up with something to write.  You see, I usually blog about stuff that I'm struggling with, or things which God is showing me or working on in my own life.  And I do have vast experience with comparing myself to others.  What I don't have much experience with is viewing myself and others in the right way.  I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact of how much I do compare myself to others; sometimes without even realizing it.  I, honestly, have not even gotten to the point where I have a handle on a right view of myself in relation to others.  So, my goal to write 3 posts on this subject was a bit ambitious, I guess.  I've tried to start writing this post at least 3 times and end up deleting it each time.

Here is all I know right now.  I will compare. It's fallen human nature to compare what I am or have with someone else.  It's the reaction to those comparisons and what I tell myself in response that can be damaging.

Michael (my husband) and I were talking about this subject earlier this week, and then our Pastor preached on it this morning.  Maybe God's trying to tell me something!  The Bible says we were created in God's image.  Human beings, although not gods in and of themselves, are an image - a direct reflection - of God Himself.  And because of being His image bearers, we are also accorded some measure of dignity.  This would seem to refute the idea that I are worthless, unlovely, or unwanted.  If I am made in the image of God, then I have worth.  If I are made in the image of God then I am uniquely lovely and beautiful.  If I am made in the image of God, then He had a purpose for making me and putting me here.  When I constantly berate myself because I don't measure up (in my own mind), I am essentially telling God that His image is not acceptable to me.  He should have made me differently, given me more, designed me like "her".  It seems the height of arrogance to imply to a Creator God that He didn't know what he was doing when He made me.

But on the flip side of this thought, I must also realize that others were made in God's image.  The homeless person begging for change who I avoid at the gas station, the liberal news pundit on CNN whose views I despise, the Muslim terrorist who threatens my freedom, my homosexual relative, the lady next door who's young, fit and drives a new Lexus - all bear the same image of God that I bear.  This fact renders me no better than them.  They deserve the same measure of worth and value that I do.  I am not a better person because I am a Christian.  I am not a better person because I'm more stylish, more conservative, more organized, or more theologically sound.  Often, I wrap myself in my aura of "betterness" and look down on those who are different - never remembering the fact that God made them exactly as they are, for a reason only He knows and for a purpose that He is working out for His glory. Believer or non-believer - they are image bearers of God the same as I.

I guess, at this point, I'm learning that I am no better or worse than anyone else.  I am just different.  And different is OK!  God has accorded me dignity and value by making me in His image.  He has also given that same dignity and value to others, which means I need to show them respect as His image bearers.  But, there is something that sets me apart - God has chosen me and set His love on me.  Through nothing that I've done or not done, but for His own glory and purposes.  That fact should shove all of my insecurity and arrogance to the curb.  Out of all His created image bearers, He chose me....and maybe you can say the same.  When I reflect on that truth, it makes all the temporal worries about my physical flaws, material possessions or talents seem inconsequential.  Who cares if my body is softer than hers if I've been chosen by Creator God?  Who cares where I live or what car I drive if I've been chosen by Jehovah Jireh (The Lord who Provides)?  God is all and in all.  I will choose to focus on Him and His all-encompassing and redeeming love.  Hopefully this will help to put into proper perspective the comparisons with which I'll continue to struggle.