“That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.” — Galatians 5:26 (MSG)

Comparison is one of the enemy’s oldest distractions.

He knows he doesn’t always have to pull us into outright sin. Sometimes all he has to do is get us looking sideways instead of looking to Christ.

Comparison has a way of stealing our joy and clouding our perspective.

We compare our abilities, our appearance, our accomplishments, our families, our finances, or the opportunities others have been given. Before long, we either feel inadequate because someone seems ahead of us or proud because we think we’re doing better than someone else.

Neither response reflects the heart of Christ.

Paul tells us there is a better way. Instead of measuring ourselves against one another, we are called to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit never leads us into competition with one another. He leads us into faithfulness.

I love how The Message puts it: “We have far more interesting things to do with our lives.”

What if we spent less time watching what God is doing in someone else’s life and more time embracing what He wants to do in ours?

God has never asked you to become someone else. He created you with a unique personality, unique gifts, and unique opportunities to make Christ known. Your assignment isn’t to imitate another believer—it’s to faithfully live the life God has entrusted to you.

The truth is that comparison always distracts us from purpose.

When our eyes are fixed on Jesus rather than on everyone around us, we discover the freedom to celebrate others without feeling threatened by them and to serve faithfully without needing to compete.

Today, resist the temptation to look sideways. Thank God for the way He created you, celebrate the victories of others, and keep walking the path He has marked out for you.

After all, each of us is an original.