Finding Value in Faithfulness Amidst Comparison

Devotional

Day 1: The Trap of Comparison

Comparison can distort our perception of reality, leading us to dissatisfaction and envy. When we measure our lives against others, we often overlook our unique journey and the blessings we possess. The allure of what others have can blind us to the value of our own experiences and achievements. It's crucial to recognize that the grass may appear greener on the other side, but it might be artificial or hiding something unpleasant. By focusing on our path and the gifts we have, we can cultivate gratitude and contentment. [04:02]

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you often compare yourself to others. How can you shift your focus to appreciate your unique journey and blessings today?

Day 2: The Reality of True Success

Success is often perceived through the lens of external achievements and appearances. However, true success is not about how things look on the surface but about faithfulness and integrity in our calling. What seems successful may not be genuine, and what appears small or insignificant may hold great value. By aligning our definition of success with faithfulness to our purpose and values, we can find fulfillment beyond superficial measures. [05:45]

"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." (John 7:24, ESV)

Reflection: Consider an area where you feel unsuccessful. How can you redefine success in this area to align with faithfulness and integrity rather than external achievements?

Day 3: Recognizing Our Potential in Christ

Jesus sees potential in us that we may not see in ourselves. He calls us to be faithful and to trust in His plans for our future, even when we feel like failures. Our perceived limitations do not define us; instead, we are defined by the potential that Jesus sees and the purpose He has for us. By trusting in His vision for our lives, we can step into a future filled with hope and possibility. [11:07]

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." (2 Corinthians 4:7, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a talent or ability you have overlooked or undervalued. How can you begin to see this aspect of yourself through the lens of Jesus' potential for you?

Day 4: Faithfulness Over Visible Success

God calls us to be faithful rather than successful. Our impact may not always be visible, but our faithfulness can transform lives in ways we may not realize. The story of the young pastor receiving a letter from a former church member illustrates that our efforts are not in vain, even if the results are not immediately apparent. By prioritizing faithfulness, we can trust that our actions have a lasting impact. [26:11]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation where your efforts seem unnoticed or unappreciated. How can you remain faithful in this area, trusting that your impact will be revealed in time?

Day 5: Jesus in Our Failures

When we feel like failures, Jesus shows up to remind us of His presence and care. He can turn our perceived failures into opportunities for growth and transformation. The story of Peter's fruitless night of fishing, transformed by Jesus' presence, illustrates that our failures are not the end but a chance for Jesus to work in our lives. By inviting Him into our struggles, we can experience His transformative power. [27:49]

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a recent failure or setback. How can you invite Jesus into this situation and allow Him to transform it into an opportunity for growth?

Sermon Summary

In this sermon, I reflect on the theme "Nothing to Show For It," drawing from a conversation with a young pastor who felt like a failure despite his dedication and hard work. This pastor, who had been in ministry for 15 years, felt he had nothing to show for his efforts. He had prepared himself academically and spiritually, yet his church remained small, and he struggled to provide for his family. His feelings of inadequacy were compounded by the quicksand of comparison, as he measured his ministry against others that seemed more successful.

I emphasize the dangers of comparison, noting that it can lead to dissatisfaction and a distorted view of reality. The grass may appear greener on the other side, but it might be artificial or hiding something unpleasant. This metaphor extends to various aspects of life, including ministry, marriage, and parenting, where individuals may feel they have nothing to show for their efforts despite their hard work and sacrifices.

The sermon draws a parallel with the biblical story of Peter and his partners, who, after a night of fruitless fishing, encountered Jesus. Despite their expertise, they caught nothing until Jesus showed up. This story illustrates that even when we feel like failures, Jesus can transform our circumstances. He sees potential in us that we may not see in ourselves and calls us to be faithful rather than successful.

I share a personal story of a young pastor who received a letter from a former church member, now a successful doctor, expressing gratitude for his influence. This letter was a reminder that his ministry had a profound impact, even if it wasn't immediately visible. Jesus shows up in unexpected ways, affirming that our efforts are not in vain.

Key Takeaways

1. The Quicksand of Comparison: Comparing ourselves to others can lead to dissatisfaction and a distorted view of reality. It is essential to focus on our unique journey and the blessings we have, rather than what others possess. [04:02]
2. The Illusion of Success: What appears successful on the surface may not be genuine. True success is not about appearances but about faithfulness and integrity in our calling. [05:45]
3. Jesus Sees Our Potential: Jesus sees potential in us that we may not see in ourselves. He calls us to be faithful and to trust in His plans for our future, even when we feel like failures. [11:07]
4. Faithfulness Over Success: God calls us to be faithful rather than successful. Our impact may not always be visible, but our faithfulness can transform lives in ways we may not realize. [26:11]
5. Jesus Shows Up in Our Failures: When we feel like failures, Jesus shows up to remind us of His presence and care. He can turn our perceived failures into opportunities for growth and transformation. [27:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:08] - Introduction: Nothing to Show For It
[00:27] - The Young Pastor's Struggle
[01:05] - Academic and Spiritual Preparation
[02:15] - The Quicksand of Comparison
[04:02] - The Dangers of Comparison
[05:22] - The Illusion of Success
[06:31] - The Reality Behind Appearances
[07:29] - Relating to the Young Pastor
[10:39] - Peter's Feelings of Failure
[11:07] - Jesus Sees Our Potential
[12:25] - The Question of Identity
[15:23] - Peter's Promise and Failure
[19:02] - Falling Back on the Familiar
[21:33] - Experience and Expertise
[22:16] - Jesus Shows Up
[24:29] - The Young Pastor's Letter
[26:11] - Faithfulness Over Success
[27:49] - Jesus Transforms Our Failures
[28:48] - Invitation to the Church

Sermon Clips

I emphasize the dangers of comparison, noting that it can lead to dissatisfaction and a distorted view of reality. The grass may appear greener on the other side, but it might be artificial or hiding something unpleasant. This metaphor extends to various aspects of life, including ministry, marriage, and parenting, where individuals may feel they have nothing to show for their efforts despite their hard work and sacrifices. [00:04:02]

When you start comparing what you've got with what somebody else has got, you are in a no-win situation. You have backed yourself into a corner from which there is no exit, and you have stepped over into some quicksand that will quickly pull you under and suffocate you in the chaos of a pity party. [00:04:10]

Somebody is paying a high price to keep up the appearances, but appearances can be deceiving. I told Freddy that if the grass looks green on the other side of the fence, and this goes for other folks' ministries and other folks' marriages, if the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, you had better look again. [00:05:22]

You are looking at what you think is real, but it is phony, make-believe, and artificial. It ain't the real thing, and Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell told us years ago what ain't nothing like the real thing. [00:05:45]

When you start comparing what you've got with what somebody else has got, you've stepped over into some quicksand—the quicksand of comparison—and that quicksand, as I said a moment ago, will quickly pull you under and suffocate you in the chaos of a pity party. [00:07:29]

Jesus can look at you and see stuff in you that you can't see, stuff that other folk can't see, stuff that the world cannot see. When Jesus looks at you, he is not interested in what you did that caused you to become what you have become. Jesus is only interested in what you can become. [00:11:07]

Jesus speaks into existence the positive plans he has for your future. He calls Simon now Cephas, which is what he will be later on. Cephas in Aramaic is the Greek word that Petras, Petros, from which we get Peter or Rock. [00:12:25]

Jesus told him on the day that he met him, I see something in you that you can't see. You are to become Cephas or Peter, The Rock. Peter's ministry had started off Simon with such great promise. [00:15:23]

Sometimes even with the combined experience and expertise in your pocket, you still come up empty. Now look at what the text says: when everything is going wrong, nothing ain't working, nothing going right, look at the text. Just after daybreak, Jesus shows up. [00:21:33]

Jesus showed up in this young pastor's life that I started telling you about. He showed up while I was there with him in a letter from a member who had just finished med school. I was with him in July; the member had finished in May. [00:24:29]

Jesus showed up to say in so many words, I didn't call you to be successful; I called you to be faithful, and you have been faithful. I didn't call you to blow up; I called you to stand up, stand up for justice, stand up for truth, stand up for black people, stand up for what is right. [00:26:11]

Jesus showed up and Jesus showed up when ain't nothing working, when nothing is going. Jesus will show up. Pastor McKissic, that's all we want you to know is that he cares. You think you can't make it; you think it's all in vain. Oh no, no, no, he cares for you. [00:27:49]

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