Follow Me

One of the things I struggle with is comparing myself to others. I don't know where it even comes from, but sometimes I find myself thinking...I wonder what she's doing? or Why is he doing that? Should I be doing that?

There's a story in the Bible that God's been reminds me of this. It's the story of Jesus restoring Peter after he denied knowing him. Here's a brief synopsis of the account in John 21:

Jesus had already been crucified but was appearing to various disciples. One day, Peter decides to go night fishing and some other disciples went with him. They didn't catch anything, but early in the morning they see a guy standing on the shore. He says, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" They tell him they don't, and he tells them to throw the net on the right side of the boat. When they did, there were so many fish in the net that they couldn't even haul them in.

At that point, John says, "It is the Lord!" John recognized the provision and who it came from. Peter jumps into the water and swims to shore. Imagine how desperate he must have been! Jesus was cooking them a breakfast of fish and bread and they ate with him. This was the third time he'd appeared to his disciples after being raised from the dead.

Then he begins to restore Peter. He asks him three separate times, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" Peter says yes all three times. Peter's restored and Jesus then tells him how he will die (by crucifixion).

       Then he says, "Follow me!"

When I picture that restoration scene playing out on the beach, I see Peter and Jesus walking by themselves. It must have been heart wrenching for Peter, after all that's happened to answer those questions. Then...

"Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them.  ...When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." 

Basically Jesus said, "It's none of your business. It's mine, and you belong to me."

That's the passage of scripture that forms in my head every time I start to wonder what other people are doing. I hear Him saying, "It's none of your business. You focus on me and me only."

It's hard to do, especially when I see him using my friends in amazing ways.

    Do you struggle with this too?

Here's a great thought from Oswald Chamber's devotional, My Utmost For His Highest: "Never try to make your experience a principle for others, but allow God to be as creative and original with others as He is with you."

I hope that helps you like it helps me. We're not meant to be like others, He has his own unique and creative plan for each one of us.

         Follow Him!