Inspirational

Shades of White

Hebrews 12 2Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:2
The summer before I started my second year of teaching at a junior high which was thirty five miles one way, my husband and I decided to trade in the mini van for a brand new white Honda Civic. I had never owned a white car, and I was ready for a fresh change. “Wow!” I exclaimed. “It is so clean and white.” I proudly showed my new vehicle to my friends at work, happy with the color I picked. Wanting to be very careful with my new car, I parked a few parking spaces away from the other vehicles. I thought my new car was as white as could be until a co-worker parked her new white Chevy Cobalt next to mine one day. When the cars were parked next to each other, it was obvious that Tonya’s car was much whiter than mine. While I was still thrilled with the new purchase, seeing the two cars together blatantly demonstrated to me that I should not compare my whiteness-that is my good deeds, my loving actions, my empathetic words, etc.- with those around me. Just as Tonya’s white-colored car outdid my car, there are so many others whose lives out shine mine. Comparison is not healthy. Instead, we should focus on the perfect One. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.
Lord, help us focus on you. Amen.

5 thoughts on “Shades of White

  1. Good message! I have taken to heart the phrase, “when we compare ourselves to others, we always come up short.” Sure, we’re all humans, but we all have different gifts and stories, so it’s never an apples to apples comparison.

    Even when we’re buying apples, we are comparing them with each other!

    The comparison trap is never good for us! Your reminder to fix our eyes on Jesus is a healthy alternative.

    Thanks, Tena!

  2. Early in my Christian walk, I used to compare myself with others to make myself feel better. The Holy Spirit corrected me with the Word of God. He knows how to correct us in Love. Your sharing is a good reminder!

    1. Diane, I believe many of us have done that. Thankfully, with the Holy Spirit’s help, we can not fall into the trap of comparison.

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