Don’t compete, and don’t compare - All The Word for Today Daily Devotionals for 2024

‘He alone decides which gift each person should have.’ 1 Corinthians 12:11 NLT

In Scripture, the church is never described as a democracy. Certainly, every person deserves equal treatment in terms of kindness, love, and respect; but as our God-given assignments differ, so do our gifts. ‘It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have’ (1 Corinthians 12:11 NLT). Pay close attention to the words ‘He alone decides.’ We all want to succeed in life. But we also need to recognise that just as our talents differ, so do our unique destinies. That’s why it’s a mistake to compete with or compare yourself to somebody else.

The Bible says, ‘… God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will.’ (Hebrews 2:4 CSB). Don’t question and second-guess God; He knows what He is doing and never makes mistakes. Even among His twelve disciples, Jesus had an inner circle. He took Peter, James, and John up the Mount of Transfiguration and sent the others into town to work. He didn’t feel obligated to take everybody up the mountain, so nobody would feel offended.

Does that mean He loves one person more than another? No, the experience Peter, James, and John had on the mountaintop that day was part of their training for the assignment Jesus was calling them to. There is a lesson here. You have to move beyond other people’s opinions. God made you for a special purpose; He has a job for you that nobody else can do as well as you. When you know that something is right for you, do it and trust God to vindicate you in the eyes of others.

SoulFood: Deut 3-4 Mark 6:7-13 Ps 2 Pro 11:22-23