I am not completely certain of this, but I expect that I am not the only person in this world who struggles with comparing myself to others.
In psychology, the “Looking Glass Theory” describes the fact that most people measure their self esteem by examining their own lives in comparison with the lives and opinions of others.
We do it….we do look at other people and ask ourselves the question “Am I doing as well as them?” We use their success, failures and actions both to pat ourselves on the back and to put ourselves down because of the fact that we will never be able to accomplish what our neighbors do.
I am not at all convinced that God is a fan of the “Looking Glass Theory.” I am not convinced that he has given us the right to judge ourselves by the standards that we see in the lives of others.
Here’s why…
All of us have different lives. We have different abilities. We have different possessions.
In Leviticus five (right after another description of sheep chopping instructions), is a list of gifts that can be sacrificed in order to be forgiven from a sin. What is so important to see about this passage is the fact that God gives different options for people based on what they could afford.
He did not demand the exact same sacrifice from everyone (or even a bigger sacrifice for bigger sins,) he asked his people to bring what they had….AND he accepted what they had. He did not ask his people to do what was impossible for them, he asked them to do what they actually could!
So remember tonight, as you look at the people around you, that God might not have asked for the same sacrifice from them as he asked from you.
Do not feel better because your gift looks nicer…
Do not feel broken because theirs puts yours to shame…
Remember that God knows YOU and that he knows exactly what you are able to bring.
He will be satisfied with YOUR actual best.
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