1 John 2

Comparing.  I think it’s very natural to compare.  When we are young, we compare our grades with those of the student around us.  When we get older, we compare the kind of car we drive with those our friends own.  When we go to the store, we compare the produce in order to get the best looking fruits and vegetables.  When we shop, we compare prices in order to get the best deal.  But when we start comparing ourselves, we need to be careful as to what our plumb line is.

If we begin to compare how much money we have to our neighbors, money and success can become our plumb line.  If we begin to compare our appearance to the others at the gym, vanity and what the world sees at beauty can become our plumb line.  If we begin to compare our families to those around us, perfection can become our plumb line.  When we place our eyes on these things, our focus is skewed.  What we focus on can become a love or an obsession.

Scripture tells us we are not to love the world and the only plumb line we need is Jesus.  It doesn’t matter how we measure up in comparison to the world…it doesn’t take much to have more light than the darkness.  A small birthday candle puts off enough light to make the darkness look different.  But we are called to be brighter than that.  We are called to be lights in the world – not just in our living rooms.

I’m not saying don’t compare yourself to anything.  I am saying the only one to focus on is Jesus.  Keep your eyes on Him.  Keep your focus on Him.  Study Him.  Our goal is to be more like Him.  He is our plumb line.  How do you measure up?

I’m praying for your!

Pastor Amy