by Jordy van Gaalen

Stop Looking Sideways

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“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”
Galatians 6:4-5 NIV

We are called to look inward and reflect on our actions. God has called us into relationship with Him, which involves us repenting and laying our sins at the foot of Christ. Our actions are our own personal responsibility. Examine what is going on in your heart and the resulting behavior.

Rather than comparing ourselves to others, we are in direct communication with God. Our actions, our lives, our purpose is between us and Christ. God has given each of us our own set of joys and hardships, rewards and challenges, gifts and weaknesses. Our lives and all that comes with it is a blessing from our Savior.

Enjoy the life God has set before you. Rejoice in what God is accomplishing through you. Rather than boasting or uplifting ourselves, we are to journey this life in humility.

 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”
Romans 12:3 NIV

We ought not to think more highly of ourselves, and we also ought not to think lower of ourselves. These two pendulum attitudes are often the result of comparison. Each individual is in his or her own walk of life – some appear to be “doing better” than we currently are and others will appear to be “doing worse.”  Our fellow peers, our brothers and sisters, the people we see from afar aren’t in the same place and never will be. Our lives will never look exactly like the people around us. We are each in our own walks with Christ. God has a plan for each of our lives. Our purpose on Earth is to love God and love others, glorifying our Heavenly Father in the process. And this will look a little bit different in each one of us.

We can’t get caught running our race while looking sideways. That will only be a distraction from running the best race that we can run. When we aren’t looking at our own finish line, we run the risk of tripping and falling. Look straight ahead to the path God has laid out for you. He has gone before you. Trust that and know He has a path for you specifically. Through the rewards and through the hardships, know that God is working through you to accomplish His purpose.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church