No Comparison!

If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Galatians 6:3-5 NIV

It's one thing for us to think positively about who we are--without the influence of others shaping or influencing us--and quite another for us to think more of ourselves than what we are.

We teach girls--especially--to think of themselves as beautiful and for some they are and for others--what others have said has gone to their heads and their attitudes can be quite ugly.

We teach boys that they're strong and can accomplish anything (girls are included in this now) and when they exhibit tendencies that are not connected with "being strong" they get maligned, teased, and bullied.

Each one of us--should take note of who we are--learn to love us and not be concerned with other people. When we attempt to compare ourselves with others--we nullify what God has done in creating us to be unique within our own rights. God knows best! We have not need to compare ourselves to others. We are responsible for being the best we can be with what we've been given--our talents, our compassion, and our love for others.

If God had wanted clones--He could have created them, but He didn't--He created me, and you, to be uniquely and wonderfully creative--not trying to please anyone, but Him.

So, I'll never be a model or a great singer, but the models and the great singers will never be me! Oh what a relief that is! There is only one me and only one you! Embrace it and love it--not caring what others may think--but knowing God knows who He created us to be! There is no comparison where God is concerned!

"I am fearfully and wonderfully made" and though there may be others out there who tend to look a little like me, there is only one me--a little off-center from the rest of the world, creative, and loving--and I will live my life as God intended me to live it--praising Him all the day long.

Demonstrated Love!

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans5:6-8 NIV

That's how God demonstrates His love for us, but how do we demonstrate our love for others? Are we to die for them--in an attempt to make ourselves seemingly more spiritual? No, there is no further need for a sacrifice by the death of anyone to demonstrate love to anyone.

We demonstrate our love for God, by living a life that is pleasing to Him.  We know how He wants us to live by reading His Word and when know we have pleased Him because of our relationship with Him.

We demonstrate our love for our children by always providing them with wise instruction, correcting and disciplining them along the way. We make sure that all their physical needs are met--appropriate housing, food and clothing. Buying them whatever they want, whenever they want it, is not a demonstration of love, but a demonstration of not knowing how to love since real love--cannot be purchased.

We demonstrate our love for others in how we treat them--considerate at all times, helpful when needed and living a life before them that demonstrates God's love for us. When we love others, we know we must warn and admonish them when their actions are unseemly--or ungodly. We don't allow those we say we love to continue on a dangerous path and say nothing. If we warn them and they ignore us--we have served our purpose, but if they heed the warning, they are saved from tragedy and God is pleased.

We demonstrate our love our spouses, by what we do for them, not just in saying words. Words are good--everyone likes to hear, "I love you," but words without action fail to adequately represent what love is. I'd rather see love in action than hear words--with nothing behind them. The reality of love between spouses is not a feeling, but a commitment--to stay the course--no matter what. Our feelings are too fickle to rely on since one minute--we're elated and the next--we're depressed, oppressed, angry, and all out of shape. Emotional reactions seldom cement relationships of any type and in a marriage--they are prone to ignite other issues--that would not exist, when love is demonstrated because then, we know how to step back from a situation and think before we act.

As long as human beings are capable of emotions that run rampant, we'll have songs of love and songs of hurt and betrayal, but the most important thing any of us can do is to see the love God has for us, and do as He does.When we love as He does, we're quick to forgive and keep going, as we are guided by Him.