Comparison

“I cannot be everything but I can be the best of what I have within my capacity and potential.”

This truth lies at the heart of purpose and fulfillment.

There is a danger in comparing what we’ve been given to what others have, losing sight of the value in our own portion.

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The Hidden Treasure

There was a certain man, Mr A, who was given a piece of land. When he saw it, the land was dry, rough, and uninviting. Discouraged by its appearance, he abandoned it and began working on Mr B’s flourishing land instead.

One day, the Owner of the lands came to inspect what each man was doing. He found Mr A missing from his plot and saw him working hard in Mr B’s field.

“Why aren’t you cultivating your own land?” the Owner asked.

Mr A replied, “Because it’s not in good shape.”

The Owner sighed, “If only you had worked your land, you would’ve discovered the gems and treasures I buried just beneath the surface.”

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Sometimes, what looks barren hides the greatest potential—if only we choose to stay and dig.

The Trap of Comparison

This story is more than just about land. It’s about life.

Many of us, like Mr A, abandon what’s ours because it doesn’t look like someone else’s. We become captivated by someone else’s success, influence, or fruitfulness, forgetting that the soil of our own lives holds treasures waiting to be unearthed.

“For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”

2 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV)

Comparison is subtle, yet powerful. It births either pride or inadequacy, and neither bear good fruit.

In a world driven by visibility, success, and applause, it’s easy to lose sight of our own portion. True wisdom is knowing that you don’t need to be like everyone else, you just need to be faithful with what God has placed in your hands.

As a physiotherapist, I’ve seen how comparison plays out even among professionals. There’s often a silent tension “Are doctors more important than us?” and vice versa.

However, as I grow in knowledge and practice, I realise that Doctors cannot perform my role and I can’t perform theirs. Each of us have our scope(s) of practice, our relevance and contribution in healthcare.

Like my mentor once said, except we have the same talent, skillset, experiences and opportunities, there cannot be any basis for comparison.

Your were not made empty

God created everyone with a purpose. He has placed in us unique gifts and talents. He gave some 1, 3 and some 5 talents (Matthew 25:15) based on their capabilities. He did it graciously so that we can’t live our lives independently but interdependently, ensuring that the different parts come together to make the whole.

Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences confirms this. There are people that are good with words and language, visualizing things, have excellent problem solving skills, good at body movement, good at musical compositions, good at understanding and interacting with people, etc.

If we take time to reflect, we will see our strengths and the strengths in others while acknowledging that we are not meant to compete but complement.

The Body of Christ

In Christ, this principle is even clearer:

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NKJV)

Before God formed you, He designed your role. He planned exactly how he wanted you to serve Him, and then He shaped you for those tasks. You are the way you are because you were made for a specific ministry. You have your custom made SHAPE:

S– Spiritual gifts

H – Heart (Passion)

A – Abilities

P – Personality

E – Experience

(Sourced from The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren.)

We are one body with many parts. Christ is the head of the body. One part is not more honorable than the other. Every part matters, and every gift has been given to build up, strengthen and edify the other parts of the body.

How can I walk in my uniqueness?

The first step out of the clutch of comparison is to acknowledge the good gifts that we have in Christ Jesus. We must accept what we have been given. It’s when we do this that we will have increase in what we have.

That the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Philemon 1:6 (NKJV)

Secondly, as we begin to walk with the Lord He starts highlighting certain things to us, sometimes put us in situations that helps us identity and understands our unique SHAPE.

Lastly, don’t thrive for sameness but find and walk in your unique and customise path with Jesus.  Sameness is not oneness; uniformity is not unity. Unity, or oneness, is complementarity, not sameness.

Sameness is uncreative…and boring.

In conclusion, as one of my teachers once said, “don’t run your life base on what other people think. Run from your area of strength.”

Don’t judge your life by comparing yourself with others but identify and know your unique SHAPE. 

A fish cannot climb a tree and a monkey cannot live in water. We are all designed differently. It is when you are in your natural habitat that your genius can shine.