When I was young I was always the kid who wanted to compare test scores with my peers. You know, the annoying one who asks, “So…what’d you get on the math test?” I was competitive, and I wanted to make sure my grades were at least on par. If I came up short, I often got mad. And jealous.
Truthfully, I haven’t changed all that much, except now I’m a big kid, and my competitiveness shows up not in weekly arithmetic and spelling quizzes but in my career as a writer. My question isn’t, “What’d you get on the grammar test?” but “How many books did you sell this year?” Or “How many Facebook followers do you have?” Or “Who is endorsing your book?”
I don’t always verbalize these questions out loud, but more often than not, I’m thinking them in my head. And if I suspect I am coming up short in comparison, I often react the same way I did as a kid. I get mad. And jealous.
This, of course, is not only infantile, shallow behavior, it’s also short-sighted. When I focus on my accomplishments, or lack thereof, compared to someone else’s, I lose sight of the big picture. I supplant God’s vision of his kingdom here on earth with my own self-interested goals and desires.
God has a clear vision for what his kingdom on earth should and will look like, and he has a job for each one of us to help bring this vision to fruition. In God’s plan, the specifics of who is doing what don’t matter nearly as much as the fact that we are working collaboratively toward one common goal.
Paul put it this way to the Corinthians:
“It’s not important who does the planting and who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together for the same purpose.” (1 Corinthians 3:7-8).
In other words, in my little world as a writer, what’s important isn’t how many books I sell compared to her, or how many Facebook followers I have compared to him, but that I am working together with my peers for the same purpose: to help God grow his kingdom on earth.
I know how easy it is to get caught up in the comparison game. I know how quickly we can tumble into the pit of insecurity, resentment, and envy. But I also know that training our gaze on our own successes and failures compared to those of our peers does nothing to help further God’s kingdom.
Maybe your job is to plant or to water. Maybe it’s to till the soil, spread fertilizer, pull weeds, or harvest the bounty. Considered in and of itself, your contribution may seem small and unimportant, but remember this: God is using your work to grow his kingdom here on earth.
Only God can take the life within the seed and bring it forth into blooms and fruit, but your small piece – your planting or watering, your tilling or fertilizing – is an important and necessary part of that process.
Let’s not lose sight of our greater purpose. Together, my hand in yours, our hands in God’s, we are helping him grow something beautiful.
This is an important reminder, Michelle, and for the record, I love what God is “growing” in your life and in your writing. This principle is a bit like that writing ocean (or was it lake or river?!) to which Madeleine L’Engle alludes, and we all contribute some drops. But collected together, God “flows” them and “grows” them to water the world. I’ll admit when I read the word “plant,” it smarted a little. Years ago, after my passion book was published and not selling well, in part, because of the dismantling of my publisher’s business, well-known author and speaker, Anne Ortlund, told me to plant my book on the backside of the desert for God alone. She said, after all, it was to Him and for Him that I wrote it. Yes, of course, that was true, but obviously, I wanted others to read the message He’d laid on my heart. But, like you, when I left results to Him, I could rest. The thing is, it’s an incredible privilege to know that we reach even *one* person with our words. If God can use anything we write to change even one life, frankly, that’s pretty miraculous. Keep writing and growing, Michelle. You do it so well.
Love
Lynn
You are a wise woman, Ms. Lynn. 🙂 Thanks for always offering a keen insight in the comment box.
God is really speaking to me in my heart over your message Michelle. Just one seed, just one thought, just one smile, just one word, just one exchange. With God’s support nothing but goodness and love will be shared with the world.
Pray with me as I continue to create a blog of God’s words of encouragement for each of us. We as women need to be reminded of His love daily because He created us to share His love daily. We need to find a way to plant new seeds of love God gives us and we give to others. Community chats like your blog and reading His word are some of those ways.
I would be remissed if I did not mention your photos, Michelle. They speak volumes of the interacting of God and us and His creation! Thank you for your ministry. I look forward to your blog and newsletter. I feel I know a special person in Nebraska!
I am praying with you indeed, Nancy. And thank you for your kind words – I appreciate them so much.
Such wise words to remember, Michelle. It gives me great comfort to think that my writing, in novels and blogs, plant the seed in someone’s heart for God to grow. I’ve long since quit worrying about sales, etc. I know He is moving in His time, and I’ve decided to be content with that.
Blessings!
Good for you for moving beyond all that, Martha. You are a good role model for me!
Thanks for this post. It helps me to put my blog writing into perspective. I don’t write books, but I enjoy writing my blog, and I let the Holy Spirit lead me on what topics to write about and what to say. All for His glory!
You said it best, Janet – “All for his glory.” Amen, sister.
Lots of wisdom here today and in the comments. I do like to win – me too looking at numbers, comparing – trying to get that competitive edge. Foolish isn’t it? My ego rules too much at times. I like the image of seeds and even of ripples on the water. I think as I get older I lose my pride in my strength and independence and honor the interdependence of all life. Man, you got me thinking now today. ( :