I watched skeptically as the new girl took her place onstage beside me. I wasn’t sure what to think as she grabbed her guitar and set up a mic stand. The rest of the band seemed to know her well, greeting her with hugs, thrilled that she would be helping to lead worship that morning.
“Who is this girl and why is she here?” I thought to myself. My hands began to sweat as I reached for my microphone. Practice began and all I could think about was how beautiful and sweet her voice was. I fought off jealousy and contempt as I wondered if I were being replaced. I didn’t like the feelings of comparison welling up inside me and I worked hard to squelch them.
But it wasn’t easy.
As we took a break between songs, a passage of Scripture from 1 Samuel came to my mind.
“Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, ‘They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?’ Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.” (1 Samuel 18:8)
As I quietly meditated on those words, I realized the error of my thoughts. This girl wasn’t coming to “replace” me on the worship team; she was coming to use her talents to bring glory to God. Which is what I should have been focused on that morning.
As we began rehearsing another song, I bowed my head, asking my Father to forgive my wrong assumptions and jealous heart.
I cringe as I look back on who I was all those years ago. But what I learned from that worship practice was that when we compare ourselves to others, we begin to be suspicious of their motives. Just as Saul felt threatened by David, I felt threatened by the new girl. And just as Saul felt suspicious of David’s actions, I felt suspicious of hers.
In the years following this situation, I am learning to be content with who I am. I’m trying to avoid comparison because ultimately we are all working toward the same goal – glorifying Jesus. But there are times I still give in.
She’s a better wife than I am.
Look at how well her children behave.
I wish my clothes looked as good on me as her clothes look on her.
Why can’t I lose those last 10 pounds?
I’m 44 years old and still can’t do my makeup as well as she can.
She should be teaching that class instead of me because she knows so much more than I do.
And it can go on and on if I allow it.
I don’t want to believe the lies of the enemy anymore. Because I know the truth. I was created as God’s masterpiece to do good works. So that’s what I plan on doing.
No more lies. And no more comparisons.
What lies are you believing today, friend? Take time to revel in God’s truth about you.
(Credit for header photo: Three Chicks Pics)
Adrienne, as I read this, it strikes me that contentment is the antidote to comparison. I’ve had to learn and relearn this lesson too … and I appreciate your thought that we are all working toward the same goal. Great post!
Yes! We need more contentment! Thanks for reading!