Daily Devotional for August 17, 2019
The Comparison Game
“Why is my favorite nine-year-old so sad today?” asked Mom when she noticed Nia’s unhappy face.
“Oh, Mom,” Nia said, “I’m not good at anything! I can’t sing like
Cheryl, and I can’t play the piano half as well as Ciara does!”
“You sing and play the piano just fine,” said Mom, “and I know something else you’re very good at—helping me get lunch on the table. Dad will be home for lunch today.”
Nia helped her mother finish getting lunch ready. When Dad got home and they started to eat, Nia made a few more comments about not being good at anything, but then she seemed to forget her blue mood.
To the surprise of Nia and her mother, Dad sat down at the piano after lunch. He began to bang on the keys as he playfully—and loudly—sang off key. Giggling, Nia put her hands over her ears. “Dad, please!” she shouted. “Give our ears a break!”
Dad stopped playing and pretended to be offended.
“Nia,” said Mom, “you said you couldn’t play the piano well, remember? But it all depends on who you compare yourself to. Compared to your father, you play very well.”
Nia laughed when Dad pretended to look sad. “Well, maybe so,” she said, “but I’m not good at sports like Dad is.”
“But you’re much better at sports than I ever was!” Mom replied.
“Maybe, but you do other things better than I do,” said Nia. “Like decorating cakes—I wish I could do that.”
“We could go on and on like this all day!” Mom said. “Don’t you see what you’re doing, Nia? You’re constantly comparing yourself to others instead of embracing the gifts God has given you. He created each of us with different talents and abilities so we can show His love to others in our own unique way. Instead of playing the comparison game, focus on using your own gifts to serve the Lord. All our abilities come from Him, and He’ll help you use them for His glory and to point others to Jesus.”
Dad nodded in agreement. “Don’t waste your time comparing yourself to your friends—or your parents!” he said with a wink. “Just be who God created you to be—yourself!” Raelene E. Phillips
How about you?
Are you thankful for the talents God has given you? Or do you play the comparison game—comparing yourself to others and wanting to be like them? God didn’t create you to be like them—He created you to be you! Focus on finding and developing the talents and abilities He gave you, then use those unique gifts to serve Him.
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