The Perils of Comparison
By Dean Collins
With search engines available at any moment, we have an incredible opportunity to learn, to grow, and even find information that might prevent or alleviate aches and pains. But that same technology can lead us to wasting huge amounts of time and take us down rabbit holes that include comparing ourselves to others.
It’s a little embarrassing, but I will admit that often when watching a movie, a series, or even a news story, I want to know the ages of those on the screen so I can see if I think I am holding up as well! For some reason, we tend to want to know how we are doing compared to others.
So, how do we do when comparing ourselves to well-known Bible characters? We compare pretty well because, like them, we are all sinners who fall short of the glory of God. But like them, God has provided a way for our sins to be forgiven and for us to be used in the kingdom of God, no matter how flawed or inadequate we may sometimes feel.
When reading through Genesis, we are reminded not only of God’s promises of blessings on Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph but also of the imperfections of each one. If you think your family is dysfunctional, you probably fair pretty well compared to the dysfunction of our spiritual ancestors!
Abraham threw Hagar out at the nagging and jealousy of Sarah. Hagar and Ishmael could have died had God not intervened. And what about Abraham and Isaac both lying to the king? Each said his wife was his sister. Don’t forget about the favoritism of Rebekah and her participation with Jacob in lying to Isaac in order to gain both a birthright and a blessing. Which leads to Jacob’s special treatment of Joseph and Joseph’s pride in bragging to his brothers. We could go on and on with the flaws in the people God has used throughout history to bring about our redemption and the redemption of all of his creation.
When reading scripture regularly and thoughtfully, we come to realize that God’s plans and his promises always work out. In all the stories of old we learn that God was reliable in every way. And like the saints of old, we sometimes think that God must not quite get our particular situation or he would act a little more quickly in responding to our prayers.
Many of our heroes in scripture waited what seemed like a long time to experience their rescue or see a promise fulfilled. Just like them, we often have to wait for God’s plans to be revealed in our lives. In Isaiah 60:22 we read these powerful words:
“I am the Lord; in its time I will hasten it.”
God, through Isaiah, was giving a prophecy to his chosen people that there would be a day when they would see restoration. But the restoration the prophet spoke of reaches across the millennia, even until the time when Christ returns and all is renewed. The apostle Paul wrote in Galatians that when the fullness of time had come, God sent us his Son. And similarly, at just the right time Jesus will return. It may or may not happen in our lifetime on earth, but when it does happen we and all of the redeemed of the Lord will experience the timeless and eternal nature of God. His timing is always right.
Like the saints of old and the saints who sit around us during our Sunday worship times, we cannot and will not fully understand God’s timing. God makes no mistakes. The mind of God and the timing of God are beyond our comprehension. Yet we can take comfort that Jesus is Lord, and when it is time, he will hasten our answers, rescue us from all dilemmas, and will renew and restore all that is broken.
Father, forgive us for all the ways we make comparisons of our situations, blessings, and struggles with others. Thank you that your love, your grace, and full restoration are for all people including us! We do pray that you would hasten your return. We long to see Jesus in all of his glory! In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Isaiah 60:22; Galatians 4:4 ESV
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