In the Daily Audio Bible's annual journey through the Bible, this week we reached the end of the book of John, the last of the gospels. In John 21, we find a poignant scene that speaks volumes about human nature and the spiritual pitfalls of comparison.…
In the Daily Audio Bible's annual journey through the Bible, this week we reached the end of the book of John, the last of the gospels. In John 21, we find a poignant scene that speaks volumes about human nature and the spiritual pitfalls of comparison. After His resurrection, Jesus takes a moment to reinstate Peter, who had previously denied Him three times. This should have been a moment of profound relief and gratitude for Peter. Instead, he turns around, sees John following them, and asks, "Lord, what about him?" (John 21:21). This seemingly harmless question reveals a deep-seated struggle many of us face: the urge to compare our journey with others.
The Pitfall of Comparison
Peter's question to Jesus highlights a common human tendency—to look at others and measure our own life against theirs. This moment of comparison detracts from the profound personal interaction Peter was having with Jesus. Instead of focusing on the grace being extended to him, Peter looked at John and sought to measure his own destiny against that of his friend and fellow disciple.
We can't blame Peter, though, since we all do this. It gives us another opportunity to appreciate the raw humanness of one of Jesus's closest friends and followers. He's one of us--always doing and saying dumb things, and yet Jesus uses him as the foundation upon which to build His church.
But why does Peter try to compare himself and his blessings to John's? Why do we?
It's the same idea behind the curated views we see of our friends' "perfect" family or meal that we see them post on Facebook, or their "perfect" career recounted on LinkedIn. I might have been thrilled about my vacation until I saw my friend take a better one.
Jesus' response to Peter is telling:
"If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me".
John 21:22 (NIV, emphasis added)
Here, Jesus redirects Peter's focus back to what truly matters—not John's path but his own. Jesus emphasizes that each disciple has a unique journey, shaped by God's specific calling and timeline for them.
The Thief of Joy
The saying goes that comparison is the thief of joy, and scripture supports this notion extensively. In Galatians 6:4, Paul advises, "Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else." This wisdom from Paul aligns with Jesus' instruction to Peter, teaching us to focus on our own spiritual responsibilities and growth rather than looking over at the path of others.
Satan's Strategy: Steal, Kill, and Destroy
When we engage in comparisons, we play into a strategy that Satan often uses to distract and derail us. Jesus described Satan's motives in John 10:10, stating, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." When we compare, we allow the enemy to steal our joy, kill our sense of gratitude, and destroy our spiritual contentment. Each of us has our own blessings, challenges, and divine path, and when we focus excessively on others, we miss the beauty and opportunities and blessings in our own lives.
Cultivating Contentment
To combat the urge to compare, we can cultivate a spirit of contentment and gratitude. Philippians 4:11-12 shows Paul speaking about learning to be content in any situation, relying on the strength provided by Christ. By focusing on what God is doing in our lives and recognizing His blessings, we can maintain a sense of gratitude and fulfillment. We can keep the enemy from stealing them.
Conclusion: Embrace Your Unique Journey
As we move forward in our faith, let us take to heart the lesson that Jesus imparted to Peter beside the Sea of Galilee. Our focus should not be on how God is working in the lives of others, but rather on how He is working in our own. Each path is uniquely crafted by God, and when we trust in His plan for us, we find that our journey is exactly where we need to be. Whenever we are tempted to compare our journey to someone else's, Jesus's words to Peter should echo through our minds: "You must follow me."
This week, let's challenge ourselves to look inward and upward, thanking God for our personal journey, and resisting the temptation to compare it with that of others. By doing so, we affirm God's sovereignty and grace in our lives, and we keep our hearts aligned with His purposes, filled with peace and joy, overflowing with gratitude for the blessings he showers upon us.
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