Have you noticed that they have already put Christmas decorations up in drugstores? That really bothers me — y’all are skipping like four holidays. Slow your roll. Who wants to buy ornaments, a pumpkin, candy corn, and some jingle bells at the same time?

However obnoxious it is to bring Christmas into October, let’s talk about one of my most vivid Christmas memories.

I ran to our living room and it was full of toys, presents, bows, and the usual Christmas decor. I dashed over to my section of the living room. (My mom set the gifts up in sections, because she was strategic.) I knew that I was going to see the toy I asked for a week before — a very expensive remote control robot thing.
As I tore up the wrapping paper and ripped open bows, my heart sank as I unwrapped a boat.
Not a toy boat.
It was a a model boat.
Not just one of them, there were dozens of them.

Almost. Every. Gift. Was. A. Model. Ship.

Turns out Santa remembered a time I vaguely expressed interest in my uncle’s model ship. He decided to take advantage of a great sale and buy a whole fleet of them.
That day, I became the only nine year old in America to own a world-class collection of model boats.

I looked over to my brother.
It looked like an isle in Toys R Us to me. He had all these amazing, colorful, exciting toys. I had boats designed for old people to put on a bookshelf.

I was angry. I was jealous. I wanted to set every toy of his on fire.
I compared my gifts to his and my Christmas was ruined.

This is the danger of comparison.
Comparison is when we chose to look at what others have instead of what we have. Here is something I want you to understand — there is no win in comparison.

Galatians 6:4-5 says, “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.”

We live in a world where comparison is so easy, because you can see everyone’s highlight reel on Instagram. After a few minutes of scrolling, it’s easy to get caught up in the comparison trap.

That is not what God wants for you. Paul is encouraging the people of the Galatian church to focus on their own journey with God. They should focus on what God wants to do through them. They should focus on what God has given them — not what they lack. You will see that your focus will direct your future.

Stop comparing yourself to others.
Stop wanting to be something you’re not.
Stop trying to live someone else’s life.
God wants to bless you — not the person you’re pretending to be.

Embrace who you are, how God made you, and what God gave you.
It will make you flourish.

TALK ABOUT IT
Q1: Tell us a story of a time you thought something wasn’t fair.
Q2: Have you ever had to work hard to meet someone’s expectations of you? How did it effect your relationship with that person?
Q3: What percentage of the stuff people post on social media do you think is real? Why do you think people are tempted to put up a fake persona online?
Q4: How does comparison effect your perspective of your life?
Q5: What is one thing you can do this week to prevent yourself from falling into the comparison trap?

READ ABOUT IT
Philippians 2:2-4
Colossians 3:15-17
Luke 18:9-14
Romans 3:21-24
Matthew 7:15
2 Corinthians 10:12
James 3:16
Proverbs 14:30
Mark 12:28-30
Psalm 37:34-40

Do the following with each passage:
ASK – God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down, inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

READ – the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT – on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own relationships and community experience?

RESPOND – to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered – fellowship inside and outside of church.