Living for an audience of ONE

Lately, I have been faced with scenarios that involves choosing between being mediocre and being competitive. But in spending time with God, I discovered, and still continue to discover, that both competition and envy involve comparing myself with others versus seeking God about His plan for me, and being secure in that alone.

There is a very thin line between measuring my progress based on God's direction versus exemplary role models. And please don't get me wrong, I believe it is necessary to be inspired by those whom are seemingly ahead of us. I also believe it is encouraging and helpful if possible, to learn from them how they overcame the obstacles they encountered.

But the line begins to be crossed when their evident “success” as defined by media and wealth becomes our sole drive to soar beyond mediocrity. Such unhealthy competition is not of God. We are endowed by God with specific personality traits, abilities, talents that are unique to us and all that we accomplish with them are to be fueled by our passion for God and His purpose for our lives. Apostle Paul said this to us in Galatians 6:4-5; “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”

Several times we find ourselves measuring our progress by another’s yardstick, and we often fall short. In those times we must remember that we are called of God not of man, and thus relieve ourselves of the unnecessary fruitless pressure to 'measure up'. There is a place for accountability with one another, but God’s opinion on our progress is what counts above all else.

In a nutshell what I am saying is this- God has provided us with godly examples in His word, for us to learn from; and there are others on earth that inspire us with their faith and/or works. But ultimately, neither party is intended for our duplication. God deals with us as individual sons and daughters and desires to be our drive towards our destiny fulfillment. In Him alone can we find true reward and contentment. In Him ALONE.

Please share additional insights/questions...and if it blessed u, share w/ others!