Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. John 21:22
If there is anything that trips up my personal worship of my Savior, it is the same comparison trap Peter struggled with in his post-denial, post-resurrection conversation with Jesus. Paraphrasing, Peter queries, “What about him—how is he going to be spent for You?” In this question is buried the long-standing rivalry Peter, James, and John seemed to carry with them ever since they began following Jesus. The desire to be greatest in the kingdom often caused arguments among them. Except Jesus had just told Peter that he would be carried where he did not wish to go, inferring Peter’s death would mirror Jesus’s recent crucifixion. Peter wanted to know how John would die, too. Jesus, not unkindly, told Peter that someone else’s journey was not his business. Peter’s sole job was to follow Jesus.
Comparison, as Paul points out in 2 Corinthians 10:12, is foolish. It attempts to measure a life against an incongruous measuring stick. Like the disciples arguing for a greater place in the kingdom, it conveniently forgets that the greatest One chose humility and death over an earthly crown.
Comparison also kills the joy Jesus desires in those who choose to follow Him. When I am trying to pattern my life after “Sister So and So,” or even worse, competing with her, I, like those disciples, have taken my eyes off Jesus to follow someone else’s journey. In other words, comparison saps all the life out of my personal journey of discipleship.
On the flip side, however, consider what a relief it is that Jesus does not compare us to one another. His purposes and plans are tailor-made for each of His followers. Each will serve Him in unique ways, simply because personality and life experiences have created a personalized resume in the HR department of Heaven. The sword of comparison can be laid down so that our hands are free to take up our cross to follow Jesus. This is freedom. This is worship.
As I meditated on this passage, a poem came together in my journal, so I will share it with you.
What Is That to Thee?
Your heart is My home
Where I forever dwell,
First, here in body’s temple,
Then beyond this temporal shell.
So hear My call to you now,
As I speak your name.
I long for you to follow
My steps for Heaven’s gain.
Look only straight before you,
And neither right or left.
Your path cannot be traveled
By another person’s steps.
Only you can follow Me
In this peculiar way,
As you take up your cross,
We’ll together bear its weight.
Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!
Erica B.
His Song in the Night 
First off, I love your poem. We must remember “My steps for Heaven’s gain” in all that we do. I was just reminded this week in my Bible reading/study of how it’s more important to obey than to sacrifice. It all boils down to our heart attitude for doing what we’re doing. Are we worshipping Christ for His sake or for our own? Even in obedience and sacrifice – for His sake or ours? The more we study His Word, the more we will understand the importance of continually examining our hearts for motive and to ensure we are not sinning (not that we can live sinless lives which I know you know but in case anyone reads my comment…lol). Freedom is living for Him!! 🙌🏼💕
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Amen! It baffles me that He would give everything so that we can have a relationship with Him. What does He get out of this deal anyway?!? As always, I love your thoughts. Thanks for sharing them!
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