You Don't Have to Compete

Read

Matthew 6:28-30 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, you of little faith?"

Think

Picture a whole field full of wildflowers. Some are tall, some are short. Some are bright red, some are soft purple, some are plain little white ones. Here is something you will never see. You will never catch one flower staring at another flower, wishing it was a different color.

Flowers do not compare themselves. They do not compete. They do not lie awake at night thinking, I wish I were taller like that one, or I wish I were brighter like that one. Each flower just grows and blooms exactly the way God made it. And Jesus said the whole field is more beautiful than the richest king who ever lived.

But you know what people do all the time? We compare. Especially at the start of a school year. You look around the classroom and start measuring yourself against everybody else. That kid has cooler shoes. That kid is smarter at reading. That kid always gets picked first. And little by little, comparing steals your joy and makes you feel like you are not enough.

Jesus wants to set you free from that. When he pointed at the flowers, he was making a point about worry. He said, “Look, God already dressed those flowers without them stressing about it. And you matter way more to God than a flower does.”

Here is the freeing part. You do not have to compete to be loved by God. You do not have to be the tallest, the fastest, the smartest, or the coolest. God already dressed you, on purpose, exactly the way he wanted. He is not comparing you to anybody.

When you spend all your energy trying to keep up with everyone else, it wears you out and it never ends. There is always someone taller or faster or cooler. But when you remember that God made you on purpose and already loves you, you can stop competing and just be you.

The flowers in the field are not all the same, and that is exactly what makes the field beautiful. God did not want a field of identical flowers. He wanted variety. He wanted you.

So the next time you catch yourself comparing, remember the flowers. You do not have to compete for one bit of God's love. He already gave you all of it.

Apply

Catch the compare – Today, when you notice yourself comparing yourself to another kid, stop and say to yourself, "God made me on purpose, and I don't have to compete." Then thank him for making you exactly you.

Pray

God, sometimes I compare myself to other kids and it makes me feel like I am not enough. Thank you that I do not have to compete for your love. You already dressed me and made me on purpose. Help me just be me. In Jesus' name. Amen.