Embracing Our Unique Callings in Christ
Summary
Comparison is a deeply human struggle, one that can quietly erode our joy and distort our sense of calling. From my own journey—coming to faith later in life, feeling out of place among lifelong Christians, and wrestling with feelings of inadequacy—I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is to measure ourselves against others. Whether it’s financial status, social ease, or spiritual maturity, the temptation to compare is everywhere, especially in our social media-saturated world. Yet, the story of Peter and John in John 21 offers a powerful corrective: Jesus calls each of us uniquely, and our focus must remain on Him, not on the outcomes or callings of those around us.
Peter’s story is especially instructive. After being restored by Jesus, Peter is told of the difficult path ahead—one that will ultimately lead to his martyrdom. Understandably shaken, Peter immediately looks to John and asks, “What about him?” Jesus’ response is both gentle and firm: “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.” This is a call to resist the urge to compare, to trust that God’s plan for each of us is intentional and good, even if it looks different from the plans He has for others.
John, for his part, never centers his identity on his own achievements but rather on being “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” His faithfulness and witness are not a result of personal greatness, but of Christ’s love working through him. Both Peter and John had distinct roles—Peter as the shepherd and rock of the early church, John as the witness whose testimony would echo through history. Their outcomes were different, their callings unique, but both were essential to God’s kingdom.
The challenge for us is to discern our own calling, to ask not “Why is my path different?” but “How can I be faithful to what Jesus is asking of me?” When we fix our eyes on Christ, we are freed from the tyranny of comparison and invited into the joy of purposeful living. Our value is not in how we measure up to others, but in who we follow and how we respond to His call.
Key Takeaways
- Comparison Distracts from Calling
When we fixate on the outcomes or gifts of others, we lose sight of the unique calling God has placed on our lives. Comparison turns neighbors into competitors and blinds us to the needs and opportunities right in front of us. True contentment and purpose come when we focus on following Jesus, not measuring ourselves against others. [05:13]
- Jesus Redeems and Redirects Our Focus
Jesus’ restoration of Peter after his denial is a model of grace: He doesn’t dwell on Peter’s failures but calls him forward into a new purpose. Yet, even after this, Peter’s instinct is to compare his fate to John’s. Jesus’ response—“What is that to you? You follow me”—reminds us that our primary task is obedience, not comparison. [14:27]
- Identity Rooted in Christ’s Love, Not Achievement
John’s self-description as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” is not arrogance but humility. He centers his identity not on his own faithfulness, but on the love of Christ. Our worth and effectiveness in God’s kingdom are not based on our accomplishments, but on the reality that we are loved and called by Jesus. [16:09]
- Every Calling Is Unique and Necessary
Peter, John, and Paul each had distinct roles in the early church—shepherd, witness, pioneer. Their paths were not interchangeable, nor were their hardships. God’s kingdom is advanced not by uniformity, but by the faithful pursuit of diverse callings. Our task is to discern and embrace the role God has given us, trusting that it matters deeply. [19:28]
- Peace in Christ Amid Unfairness and Struggle
Life’s outcomes often seem unfair, and suffering can feel arbitrary. Yet, Jesus promises peace—not the absence of trouble, but His presence in the midst of it. When we focus on Christ and His victory over the world, we find the courage to endure hardship and the freedom to celebrate others’ callings without envy. [21:42]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Personal Reflections on Comparison
[03:43] - Competition and Envy in Christian Community
[05:13] - The Trap of Social Comparison
[06:54] - Social Media and the Decline of Satisfaction
[08:43] - Context for John 21: Peter’s Redemption
[09:40] - Jesus Predicts Peter’s Death
[11:40] - Peter’s Focus Shifts to John
[12:21] - Parallels: Peter Walking on Water
[14:27] - Jesus’ Response: “You Follow Me”
[16:09] - John’s Identity: The Beloved Disciple
[17:45] - John’s Suffering and Witness
[19:28] - Unique Callings in God’s Kingdom
[21:42] - Peace in Christ Amid Unfairness
[23:13] - What Is Your Calling?
[25:11] - Examples of Calling in Our Community
[26:11] - Who We Follow Matters
[27:01] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “The Trap of Comparison and the Call to Follow Jesus”
---
### Bible Reading
- John 21:18-23
(Jesus predicts Peter’s death, Peter asks about John, and Jesus responds, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.”)
- 1 John 4:8
(“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”)
- John 16:33
(“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”)
---
### Observation Questions
1. In John 21:18-23, what does Jesus tell Peter about his future, and how does Peter respond?
[[09:40]]
2. According to the sermon, how does John refer to himself in his gospel, and what is the significance of that title?
[[16:09]]
3. What are some of the negative effects of comparison and social media that were mentioned in the sermon?
[[06:54]]
4. What different roles or callings did Peter and John have in the early church, according to the sermon?
[[19:28]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Peter immediately asked about John’s future after hearing about his own? What does this reveal about human nature and our tendency to compare?
[[11:40]]
2. How does Jesus’ response to Peter (“What is that to you? You follow me.”) challenge the way we think about fairness and God’s plans for others versus ourselves?
[[14:27]]
3. The sermon points out that John’s identity was rooted in being “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” What does it mean for our identity to be rooted in Christ’s love rather than our achievements?
[[16:09]]
4. Both Peter and John faced suffering, but in different ways. How does knowing that each calling is unique and sometimes difficult help us process our own struggles or feelings of unfairness?
[[21:42]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon described how comparison can steal our joy and distract us from our calling. Can you think of a recent time when comparing yourself to someone else made you feel less content or distracted you from what God is asking you to do? What triggered that comparison?
[[05:13]]
2. Social media was mentioned as a major source of comparison and dissatisfaction. Are there specific ways you notice social media affecting your self-worth or your view of others? What is one practical step you could take this week to limit its negative impact?
[[06:54]]
3. Jesus told Peter, “You follow me.” What would it look like for you to focus more on following Jesus and less on what others are doing? Is there a specific area of your life where you need to shift your focus?
[[14:27]]
4. The sermon highlighted that John’s identity was based on being loved by Jesus, not on his accomplishments. What are some ways you tend to measure your worth? How can you remind yourself that your value comes from Christ’s love?
[[16:09]]
5. Both Peter and John had unique callings that were necessary for God’s kingdom. What do you sense God might be calling you to do in this season of your life? Are there ways you’ve been resisting or doubting that calling because it looks different from someone else’s?
[[23:13]]
6. The sermon gave examples of people in the church living out their unique callings. Who is someone you know who is faithfully following their calling, even if it’s not flashy or public? How can you encourage or support them this week?
[[25:11]]
7. When life feels unfair or you see others “getting ahead,” how can you find peace in Christ’s promise that He has overcome the world? Is there a specific struggle where you need to trust Jesus’ presence and peace right now?
[[21:42]]
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for freedom from comparison, clarity in their unique callings, and a deeper sense of identity rooted in Christ’s love.
Devotional
Day 1: Keep Your Eyes on Jesus, Not on Others
It is easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to those around us—whether it’s their talents, their successes, or even their spiritual journeys. But when we focus on others, we lose sight of the unique calling and path that Jesus has set before us. Just as Peter, after hearing about his own future, immediately turned to ask Jesus about John’s fate, we too can become distracted by what God is doing in someone else’s life. Jesus’ response to Peter is clear: “What is that to you? You follow me.” Our primary call is to follow Jesus, trusting that He knows the path He has for each of us, and that it is good, even if it looks different from the path of those around us. [14:27]
John 21:20-23 (ESV)
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”
Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to compare your journey to someone else’s, and how can you intentionally shift your focus back to following Jesus today?
Day 2: Jesus Redeems Our Past and Calls Us Forward
No matter our failures or shortcomings, Jesus meets us with grace and a call to move forward. When Peter denied Jesus three times, it could have been the end of his story, but Jesus instead offered him redemption by asking three times, “Do you love me?” and then commissioning him to “feed my sheep.” Jesus does not dwell on our past mistakes; instead, He invites us to participate in His work, offering forgiveness and a new purpose. This is the nature of Christ—He looks beyond our failures and calls us into a future filled with hope and mission. [09:40]
John 21:18-19 (ESV)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Reflection: What past mistake or regret do you need to let go of so you can embrace the new calling Jesus has for you?
Day 3: God’s Love Defines Us, Not Our Achievements
John, the beloved disciple, never refers to himself by name in his gospel, but instead as “the one whom Jesus loved.” This wasn’t arrogance, but a deep understanding that his identity and any good in his life came from being loved by Jesus. Our worth is not found in our accomplishments, our status, or how we compare to others, but in the unchanging love of Christ. When we root our identity in God’s love, we are freed from the endless cycle of comparison and striving, and can rest in the assurance that we are cherished by Him. [16:09]
1 John 4:8 (ESV)
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Reflection: In what ways do you let your achievements or failures define you, and how can you remind yourself today that your truest identity is found in being loved by God?
Day 4: Every Calling Is Unique and Vital in God’s Kingdom
Peter was called to be the shepherd of the early church, while John was called to be a witness and writer. Their paths were different, their outcomes unique, but both were essential to God’s plan. In the same way, each of us has a unique role to play in the kingdom of God. It is easy to feel insignificant or to wish for someone else’s calling, but God has designed each of us with a purpose that only we can fulfill. When we embrace our calling, no matter how big or small it seems, we participate in God’s story and help bring His love to the world. [23:59]
Romans 12:4-6 (ESV)
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.
Reflection: What unique gifts or passions has God given you, and how might He be inviting you to use them for His kingdom this week?
Day 5: Jesus Brings Peace in the Midst of Life’s Unfairness
Life can feel unfair, and sometimes the challenges we face seem overwhelming or undeserved. Both Peter and John experienced hardship—Peter faced martyrdom, John faced exile and persecution. Yet, Jesus promises that in Him we can have peace, even in the midst of tribulation. He reminds us that He has overcome the world, and that our hope is secure in Him. Rather than focusing on what seems unjust, we are invited to rest in the peace that Jesus offers and to trust that He is working all things for our good and His glory. [22:17]
John 16:33 (ESV)
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Reflection: What current struggle or sense of unfairness do you need to bring to Jesus, trusting Him to give you His peace and perspective today?
Quotes
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