We are told that the average age of people living in America is now 30.3 years. The life expectancy for that same person has reached 73 years. But these numbers mean different things to different people. To the person who has reached 94, 73 is young. However, to the 13-year-old, a person who is 30 could get lost in an antique shop. I remember that when I was in the 5th or 6th grade I used to look with admiration and awe at 9th-grade football players. They were old enough to be heroes, and as far as I was concerned they were the biggest, fastest, and toughest guys you’re playing on. Compared with the college or professional athletes today, those fellows don’t even rate.
Most things in life are like that. Whether we are attractive, handsome, successful, tall, or healthy is relative. It all depends on who we’re comparing ourselves with. So who are we measuring ourselves by as Christians? According to the apostle Paul in the 10th chapter of 2 Corinthians, we make a big mistake if we try to feel good about ourselves either by looking within ourselves or by comparing ourselves with the people around us. He says that there’s no future in that kind of thinking. You see, the value and meaning of anything in life ultimately depends on how the Lord sees us, and it’s His judgment that really matters. Therefore, Paul was content to serve His Savior faithfully and leave any commendation of his life and work to God. Can the same be said of us? – Martin R. De Haan II
Just live your life before your Lord,
It matters not what others do –
Your actions will be weighed by Him
Who meters out judgment just and true. – Rae
If you must compare yourself with someone, compare yourself with Christ.
- April 30, 1984, Our Daily Bread
For You 