Comparison is the killer of joy.

After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.) An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” To this, John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less."

John 3: 22-36 (NLT)

Context

John and his disciples are baptizing people around the same (ish) area that Jesus and his disciples are ALSO baptizing people. John's disciples come and tell him, "Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah," (aka Jesus) "is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us."

John replies, reminding them, "You yourselves know how plainly I told you, 'I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.'" He then proceeds to use the allegory of a groom and his groomsmen. It is the groom who marries the bride, and the groomsmen are simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. John says that he is filled with JOY at Jesus' success. Verse 30 says:

"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less."

Verse 30 was a heart check for me. Am I asking Jesus to become greater and greater, and make me less and less?

My answer was no. I constantly want what my flesh desires, I act out of emotions, and I need to practice surrendering control. But in order for me to become more like Jesus, there has to be less of me and more of Him.

• Less anger

• Less insecurity

• Less jealousy

• Less bitterness

• Less pride

We all know the verse in which Jesus says to love our neighbors as ourselves, but I think we need to learn to CELEBRATE our neighbors' success as well.

• Stop comparing.

• Life is not a competition.

• Your season is not a competition.

• Your job, education, and/or academics are not a competition.

• Your financial status is not a competition.

• Your relationships are not a competition.

• Your healing journey is not a competition.

• Your ministry is not a competition.

• Your salvation and relationship with God is not a competition.

You don't have to prove yourself to anyone; your Heavenly Father already approves of you.

Learn to celebrate, rather than compare. Comparison is the killer of joy.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the way you speak into our lives. Thank you that we don't have to prove ourselves to anyone because you already love and approve of us. Father, teach us to surrender control. I pray that there will be less of me and more of you. Less of [insert your name], and more of you. Show me the areas of my life and the characteristics that don't line up with who you created me to be, and change them as you see fit. Teach me to celebrate others with joy and receive your blessings with a heart of gratitude.

In your holy and precious name, we pray. AMEN.