"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." 2 Corinthians 10:12
If you are on social media much, you will probably read at least one status update daily that reads something like this: John Smith ran 6.2 miles in 57 minutes and feels pretty good or Sally Johnson biked 22 miles in 65 minutes and feels blah. While these posts might serve to encourage and motivate some, they can serve to dishearten and discourage others. The problem is comparing. When we compare ourselves to others, whether in our abilities or appearance, we are bound to either think too highly of ourselves or too lowly. We simply weren't meant to compare or judge ourselves by what anyone else says or does - we weren't created to be alike or to have the same gifts or skills.
Psalm 139:14 says, "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." Notice the psalmist says I and not we. He knew that God made us all unique and that his works are wonderful. We were not made on an assembly line but individually handcrafted by the Creator himself. In fact, God made us so distinct that out of the billions of people on the earth, we all have totally different fingerprints and DNA. He made us individual down to the palms of our hands. There is no other person on the planet that shares the same design as the one on your thumb! And when he said, "my soul knows it very well" he was praising his Maker because he realized he was special.
Maybe the reason we compare is that we forget or simply don't know "well enough" the special way we were created. Avoid the temptation to compare yourself with others and instead celebrate the YOU He formed.... the YOU that is fearfully and wonderfully made.
Heavenly Father, thank you for making us all different and yet perfect in your eyes. Your word tells us that we were created in your image. You don't' make anything less than the best! Oh, help us to praise you for the way we were made, help us to embrace it and know that your works are truly wonderful indeed. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
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A more beautiful you - Johnny Diaz
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