Greater
By
Lexi Cole Ellis
"You, dear children, are from God and have
overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one
who is in the world."
1
John 4:4 (NIV)
Three years ago, I had
the opportunity to lead a workshop for our women’s retreat on the subject of
comparisons. As I prepared, I dug into societal implications of comparing and
how they hinder our oneness with God. What started as comparisons with physical
appearance soon turned into a realization that we are drowning in comparisons
in every facet and role. I just want to
be prettier. I just want to be more like _________; she has it all together. I
just want to be the best teacher. I wish I was a better ministry leader like
_________. I long to be a better mom. ________
really is a better wife than I.
Whether appearance or
performance, these constant, detrimental comparisons often mean we are
comparing ourselves to an unknown, unattainable ideal. We don’t know what
“better” looks or feels like; we just know it’s not us. This results in never really
accomplishing our standard of perfection.
As I struggle with
rejecting self-deprecating, life-sucking comparisons in my own life, I’ve come
to appreciate the comparisons in life that are
life-giving. There’s incredible hope,
peace and a release of guilt that comes with surrendering our thoughts of unhealthy
comparisons over to the God who knows and is greater.
Chris Tomlin’s song,
“Our God,” is filled with comparisons words…the good kind. He identifies God as
greater, stronger and higher than any other. Recently, as I listened to this
song on the radio, singing along with the familiar chorus, I realized that it
felt incomplete. For me, I felt God speaking to me, adding to the comparisons.
I grabbed my phone and started using the speaking function as I spoke what His
Spirit was saying:
Our God is greater… {than my circumstance.}
Our God is stronger… {than my fear.}
God, you are higher than any other…{insecurities
I have.}
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our
God! [1]
The single best and healthiest comparison is that God is bigger and
stronger. As we go through storms and struggles, may we cling to the truth that
He is higher than all…and that praising Him means working through and rejecting
the unhealthy comparisons we mentally entertain. May we be children of God who
actively pursue His healthy comparisons.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Spend time with the
Lord. How is His Spirit adding onto the lyrics for you today? Fill in the blanks: “Our God is greater than
________.”
2. Take time to listen
to the song, “Our God” today. (Click HERE to listen to it.)
FURTHER READING:
[1] http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/christomlin/ourgod.html,
brackets added
Lexi
and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable puppy named Calvin. She teaches sixth
grade at Silver Lake Intermediate
School. She serves with
Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.
