‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭MSG‬‬ — Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

If you are just joining us today, this week I have been sharing about, “we can’t wash feet when …” We haven’t been literally washing feet, rather sharing in the context of humility, the posture of our hearts, and the call to serve others. In thinking about when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, we ourselves can’t wash feet when we are comparing ourselves to others or wishing we had been given different gifts of service. Comparison is the thief of joy. Maybe you wish you look different or talk differently. Maybe you wish God had given you different talents, like photography, technology, writing, speaking, singing, teaching, sewing, or baking?

I like The Message version of our key verse in Galatians. Each of us must take responsibility in doing our creative best with the bodies and the talents we have been given. We shouldn’t boast or look down on ourselves. We shouldn’t compare ourselves to others. I need this as a daily reminder.

In 1 Peter we are taught to be faithful stewards of God’s grace and gifts for His glory. Have you experienced the thief of comparison? Take inventory of your gifts and talents. I encourage you to then write them as your gratitudes for the day. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for making me who I am. You made me wonderfully as You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Help me to be a faithful steward of the gifts and talents you have given me. I thank You for each one. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.