Sunday Inspiration: Sunday, September 29, 2024
How to Be a Quitter: Live By Comparison
If you have your Bibles, I want you to turn to 1 Comparision 3:16. You don’t have that section? It is in the book called “How To Be a Quitter.” If you want to learn to be a quitter at life, you must pick it up. For example, today's chapter says, “For thou shalt always keep thine eyes on thy neighbor, lest thou forget what success truly looks like - 1 Comparison 3:16.” It describes the holy art of comparing ourselves with others. What better way to gauge our spiritual progress than by comparing our lives with our neighbor’s new car, bigger house, or more well-behaved children? So, today, we will explore this skill of being a quitter by mastering how to compare ourselves with others.
But before we dive in, let’s remind ourselves where we have been. First, we said you must master the art of making excuses. Making excuses is critical for those who aspire to miss out on the best life offers. We explored the parable that Jesus told of guests who were invited to a dinner party and made excuses for not going. We learned from the story, “Keep making excuses, and the invitation will go to someone else.”
Next, Rev. Carolyn Clifton invited us to master the art of complaining. The Israelites brought us the biblical class on being a quitter by mastering the art of complaining as they wandered through the desert.
Carolyn showed us how, if willing, we can rise from being a quitter by starting our day with gratitude, seeking help when life seems overwhelming, and taking our burdens to the Lord. But if you want to be a quitter, do nothing and walk around complaining about your life.
Last week, we said, “If you want to be seen as a quitter, you must let fear control your life.” The motto of the person who lets fear control their life is When in Doubt, Panic. When the road ahead is unclear, panic. When the task seems overwhelming, panic. When uncertainty is the name of the game, panic. When in doubt, panic. If you would rather not have panic as your go-to response when you are afraid, we said another option is to pay attention to where you put your trust. When afraid, decide where you will place your trust. When afraid, I will trust God. We said this is needed if you want to rise above being a quitter when it comes to letting fear control your life.
Today, the final chapter in the story of how to be seen as a quitter is to live your life comparing yourself to others. Another passage in this story is Opinions 4:13, which says, “I can do all things through comparison, which strengthens me - Opinions 4:13.” There is no better way to live than by constantly measuring yourself against the achievements and failures of those around you. Let me explain. What greater joy is there than to spend your life measuring your worth against the achievements, possessions, and social media profiles of those around you? Every time you scroll through social media or have that beer with your buddy and hear about all his success and begin to feel that tingle of jealousy of not measuring up, remember—it’s just a reminder that you’re not yet perfect. You have work to do to be better than the person across from you.
When your neighbor messes up and has some type of failure, go ahead and pass judgment. Judging your neighbors keeps you humble, for every flaw you find in them is a reminder that you, too, could have been just as flawed... if only you didn’t have the wisdom to see it!
So, if you want to be a quitter, live by comparison. Measure every aspect of your life against others. Never be satisfied, never be content. May you forever chase the unattainable, and may your life be a relentless pursuit of what everyone else has!
If you need inspiration to be a quitter by comparing yourself to others, you can look to King Saul. Saul should have been celebrating the victory over Goliath and the safety of his people. Saul should have been finding ways to give thanks to the Lord that David, a young shepherd, had stepped forward with faith in God and defeated Goliath with just a sling and a stone, bringing great victory and relief to Israel. Instead of being confident in his God-given role as king, he felt threatened by David’s success.
The women sang, “Saul has killed his thousands and David his ten thousand” (I Samuel 8:7). Saul focused on the numbers. His comparison led to jealousy, which in turn led to anger, which in turn led to violence. Comparison causes Saul’s story to take a different turn.
If we let it, comparison can rewrite our life stories differently than God had planned. Instead of celebrating his kingdom's victories, King Saul allowed comparison to fuel bitterness and fear. The story ends by saying, “So Saul eyed David from that day on” (1 Samuel 8:9). This will lead to Saul’s obsessive pursuit of David, eventually his downfall as king, and David’s rise to the throne.
We fall into the trap of comparing ourselves because it is easy to let success go to our heads and failure go to our hearts. It is natural to feel proud when we achieve something great. A promotion at work, a goal accomplished, or personal growth can make us feel good about ourselves. And we should.
But the problem comes when comparison becomes the tool for validation. We look at others’ failures or perceived shortcomings and use them as a yardstick to measure our worth. Or we internalize our failures, and comparison becomes a tool for self-punishment.
The apostle Paul gives some good advice when he says, “All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will become a cause for pride” (Galatians 6:4). Comparison is the thief of joy. It robs you of the joy of taking honor in your success.
Luke 18 tells us the story of a Pharisee who stood up and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income” (Luke 18: 11 - 12). The Pharisee was convinced that as long as he was not like these others, he was worthy and respectable enough in God’s eyes. God is not going to compare you to someone else. You might compare yourself to others, your parents might compare you to others, your boss might, your spouse might, but God never will.
How do we live beyond comparison unless we want to be a quitter?
Let me share this story. After his resurrection, Jesus met his disciples on the shore by the Sea of Galilee. Jesus got the disciples' attention and invited them to eat together. After the meal, he reinstated Peter into the ministry after Peter denied Jesus at his crucifixion. But Peter is still Peter.
Jesus tells Peter, “Follow me” (John 21:19). Look what happens next. The scripture says that Peter turned around and looked at one of the other disciples, and Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus replies, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me” (John 21: 22)! Just because Jesus loves Peter does not mean he has any less love for the other disciples. And the opposite is true. Just because Jesus loves the other disciples doesn’t mean he has less love for Peter. We don’t need to worry about what Jesus is doing to or through somebody else. Their plans are irrelevant to you. Just follow Jesus!
Comparison forced Saul to take his eyes off of his purpose. Comparison had Peter questioning what Jesus was doing through the other disciples. If you hear nothing else today, hear this: Don’t let the noise of comparison drown out the voice of your purpose. Focus on Your Calling: Keep your eyes on what God has called you to do. Your worth is not measured by someone else’s achievements but by God’s purpose for your life. Bob Goff says, “We won't be distracted by comparison if we are captivated with purpose.”
Let me give you some practical steps to avoid the comparison trap and focus on our God-given purpose.
First, Get in the habit of celebrating the wins of others. This helps us develop a spirit of generosity rather than the ugliness of comparison.
Secondly, Guard your thoughts. Remind yourself that your worth is not based on someone else’s achievements but on God’s love and plan for you.
Thirdly, Focus on following Jesus. When you’re tempted to look at what others are doing, remember that their path is not yours. Fix your eyes on Christ and follow Him.
Pastor Jamey
(Click Here to Watch the Worship Service from Gainesville First United Methodist Church, Gainesville, Georgia)
Questions to Consider:
How has comparison impacted your spiritual growth or hindered you from living out your purpose?
How can focusing on God's purpose for your life help you overcome the temptation to compare yourself to others?
The sermon points out that comparison is "the thief of joy." Can you think of a time when comparison robbed you of joy in your own life? How did you handle it?
Prayer:
Lord, we confess that too often, we allow ourselves to be consumed by the successes and failures of those around us. We measure our worth by others’ achievements and let envy and discontent take root in our hearts. Forgive us, Father, for losing sight of Your plans for us and letting comparison steal our joy and peace.
Help us, Lord, to fix our eyes on You and not on the things of this world. Teach us to celebrate the victories of others without feeling lesser in our journeys. Remind us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, each with a purpose only we can fulfill.
When we are tempted to judge or criticize others to elevate ourselves, give us humility and grace. When we feel discouraged by our shortcomings, remind us that our value is not in our performance but in our identity as Your children.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Benediction:
May the Lord bless you and keep you from the trap of comparison. May He remind you daily that your worth is not measured by the world's standards but by His unchanging love for you. May He fill your heart with contentment and gratitude, freeing you from envy and discontent.
Many families and individuals urgently need support after Hurricane Helene. We are partnering with Syfan Logistics to collect essential supplies to help those affected by the storm. Your donations will provide much-needed relief during this difficult time.
We are collecting:
Non-perishable food items (canned goods, pasta, rice, etc.)
Bottled water
Baby supplies (diapers, formula, wipes)
Hygiene products (soap, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)
Cleaning supplies (disinfectant, bleach, gloves)
First aid kits and medical supplies
Blankets, pillows, and sleeping bags
Flashlights and batteries
Items can be dropped off at the front door of Gainesville First United Methodist Church, Gainesville, Georgia by 4 p.m. on Monday or at Turbo Truck Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday.
We will also collect funds to support UMCOR—United Methodist Committee on Relief—relief work in the hardest-hit areas. 100 % of the funds will go towards Hurricane Helene Relief efforts. We will be collecting through next Sunday. Please mark your over-and-above giving as Hurricane Relief.
Click Here to Give (“Hurricane Relief” in the memo)
Let’s come together as a community and build bridges that witness the love of neighbor. Every contribution counts! Thank you for your generosity and compassion during this critical time.
