September 30th, 2024
Put Away Your Measuring Stick
By: Kara Wallis
I was reading an article recently that was talking about Christians putting away our measuring sticks. It is so easy to get caught up in the comparison game and lose sight of what God has called us to individually and corporately. We can see the work of others and think, ”I could never do that.” When we focus on that person and what they are doing, we can only see one way of answering the call of God and then the feelings that we can never measure up rear their ugly head and we feel like giving up entirely.
John 13:14-15 says, ”Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” From this scripture we see a beautiful example of how we are to minister to God’s kingdom. For me I can sometimes feel overwhelmed with trying to live up to Jesus’ example and then it is easy to compare myself to others. Not wanting to fall short, we can also try to copy the way other people minister, even when it may not feel right to us.
The measuring stick is a very common way of missing the point of what God may be calling us to do. One thing that we can remember is to do small things with great love. It is not an “all or nothing” plan. There is a quote from Mother Teresa that says, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” I love that! We need to always be looking and seeking out those who may be in need and we will discover how we are suited to help in various ways.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 says, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good".
God created each of us with a unique calling and purpose for our lives. If we are constantly comparing our calling with someone else’s we are missing the point. When we find ourselves being open to the many different ways we can minister to God’s people and help further His kingdom, we will find ourselves putting the measuring stick away and truly following the example of Jesus in exactly the way we are meant to.
By: Kara Wallis
I was reading an article recently that was talking about Christians putting away our measuring sticks. It is so easy to get caught up in the comparison game and lose sight of what God has called us to individually and corporately. We can see the work of others and think, ”I could never do that.” When we focus on that person and what they are doing, we can only see one way of answering the call of God and then the feelings that we can never measure up rear their ugly head and we feel like giving up entirely.
John 13:14-15 says, ”Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” From this scripture we see a beautiful example of how we are to minister to God’s kingdom. For me I can sometimes feel overwhelmed with trying to live up to Jesus’ example and then it is easy to compare myself to others. Not wanting to fall short, we can also try to copy the way other people minister, even when it may not feel right to us.
The measuring stick is a very common way of missing the point of what God may be calling us to do. One thing that we can remember is to do small things with great love. It is not an “all or nothing” plan. There is a quote from Mother Teresa that says, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” I love that! We need to always be looking and seeking out those who may be in need and we will discover how we are suited to help in various ways.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 says, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good".
God created each of us with a unique calling and purpose for our lives. If we are constantly comparing our calling with someone else’s we are missing the point. When we find ourselves being open to the many different ways we can minister to God’s people and help further His kingdom, we will find ourselves putting the measuring stick away and truly following the example of Jesus in exactly the way we are meant to.
3 Comments
thank you sweet Kara for this heartfelt reminder
Excellent word to remind us of what we need to do. Thank you
Beautiful Words of encouragement