The early morning breeze gently caressed my face while the crowning sun spread its brilliant rays over the horizon. Cows lowing from the nearby ranch invaded the quiet.
Birdsong cascaded over me while I closed my eyes to take it all in. I felt the morning’s peaceful awakening soothe my soul.
Opening my eyes, I noticed them. Two house finches, whose song awakened my soul with their music, squabbling over a piece of railing. All that space and they were jockeying for the same inch. Literally.
One bumped the other as if to say, “move over!” The second one hopped away a couple of inches while turning back to glare at the first one. A few exchanged words and trills and off they flew to the same spot a few yards away. The dance re-enacted.
“Funny birds,” I thought. “All this room but they fight over one inch of railing.”
And then it hit me.
Don’t we do the same thing?
We want what everyone else has. We bob and jab, poke and prod, finagle and wriggle to get our own piece of the same pie. We fight over the same space when there is plenty of room for all of us.
Psalm 139 says that each one is wonderfully complex. We are unique, created for a specific purpose.
In other words, we have our own space with our God-designed roles.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
God, the Master Creator, says you matter. You have purpose. Your space is just as important as anyone’s. Why? Because He created you in His image to fulfill His purpose.
So why do we waste time fussing or jockeying for the same space as someone else? Why do we try to fulfill the role of someone else?
Don’t think you are doing it? Answer these questions:
- Do I ever say, “Someday I’d like to be like <fill in the blank>?
- Why can’t I make the kind of money she makes?
- Do you ever think: I can’t afford to send my kids to that private school, but if I don’t I’ll be labeled as a failure?
- Do I hesitate to invite people to my house because I believe it isn’t good enough?
- Are you in a job you hate but choose to stay because of the salary and prestige?
- Are you more concerned about maintaining your image or your reputation?
- Do I spend time comparing myself to anyone else?
How many times did you say “yes”?
God says you are fearfully and wonderfully made in His image.
He says you have a unique role to fill in this world.
Just as there was plenty of room for the finches on the railing, so there is plenty of room on this earth for us. We don’t need to compete for the same square inch of space.
Instead, do what you were called to do. And do it well. Trust God to take care of the rest.
No squabbling.
No pushing.
Only quiet confidence in our role, whatever that may be. Contentment with who I am and delight in my purpose.
My question for you today: With whom are you trying to compete? What is one thing you can change today to move from competition to quiet confidence? Tell me about it below.
Here’s what I’m doing: Identify when I start comparing myself to another and call it what it is.
Capture the extra-ordinary in the ordinary. There is no one on this earth exactly like you!
Not sure if I’m trying to compete, but I often feel like I am looked down upon because I don’t homeschool.I know my quiet confidence can only come from above. And I am listening.
Boy, Jackie, I hear you. There’s a lot of pressure in this area. Good for you for listening to the Father. Thanks for reading and commenting.