There are a few things I am certain of and one of them is-----the measuring stick will get you stuck!

The measuring stick of comparison is the enemy’s tool that has hindered many of us from walking in our God given assignments.

This made me think about Moses. God gave Moses an assignment to lead the people of Israel from captivity in Egypt to the promise land. But Moses began to give God plenty of excuses (Exodus 2:11-3:22).

Moses was insecure. He even said about himself that he had trouble speaking, thus God allowed his brother Aaron to act as his spokesperson (Exodus 4:14-16; 7:1-6). Moses tells God at the burning bush, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue”(Exodus 4:10). Moses also express that he speaks with “faltering lips”(Exodus 6:12;30)

Moses argued with God and told Him he was not the man for the job because he stuttered and had difficulty speaking. I do not stutter, but I do know how it feels to believe God has the wrong person(me) for the job.

There are scholars who would argue that Moses was merely minimizing his speech abilities In the New Testament. However, Stephen states that “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action”(Acts 7:22). This biblical fact seem to have credibility to the idea that Moses downplayed his speech abilities in order to get out of the assignment God gave him.

Moses felt inadequate. But why? Was it solely due to his flawed speaking abilities?

Moses encountered a situation. He assessed the situation then, made a decision. His decision got him caught in the act, he ran away and stayed away(Acts 7:23-29).

During Moses’ forty years of hiding in the wilderness I’m sure the questions of him feeling inadequate, along with why he gave God so many excuses swirled in his head.

Moses’ idea of him not being a good speaker came from him comparing himself to other people he thought were good speakers.

Moses is not the only one. I too, on many occasions compared myself to others causing me to feel inadequate and give God excuses as to why I am not the woman for the assignment.

In my “excuses” mindset, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that comparison opens the door for sabotaging lies to steal confidence,  courage, and stand in the way of  contentment. It also increases fear, rejection, and insecurity.

Comparisons can cause roadblocks that will hinder our God-given assignment by setting an undefined standard of approval and acceptance.

But in all Moses’s excuses, God did not let him off the hook, in fact “the Lord’s anger burned against Moses” (Exodus 4:14) for his hesitancy. Despite Moses’ stuttering, God used Moses in great ways, showing that He is sovereign over everything, including speech difficulties(Exodus 4:11-12).

When you begin to compare yourself to others, say this----I could never do it like them. And do you know what? You are absolutely correct. Then shout---I was never meant to! God uniquely designed each of us according to HIS WILL for specific assignments.

God knows our flaws, inadequacies, and our insecurities, and He knows what or who caused them. Yet, God chose you{us} for a purpose-to fulfil His plan in a predetermined point in time(Ecclesiastes 3:2; Romans 11:36).

^“ But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong”(1 Corinthians 1:27). God can and will use our difficulties, shortcomings or setbacks for His purpose and glory.

So, release comparison and grab hold to your God-given uniqueness.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me with unique gifts and talents. Forgive me for the times I negatively compared myself to others. Forgive me for taking hold to that comparison and used it as excuses not to operate in the assignment you ordained for my life. Father, give me strength not to falsely compare myself to others and allow me to see others through the lens of Christ so that I may be able to rejoice in in the gifts and talents of others. I am grateful for Your grace, and I am humble to be able to be used as Your servant. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PEARLStoPONDER: Your uniqueness, your flaws and your falls can and will be used for God’s glory.

Psalm 139:13-14-- For you formed my inward parts;    you knitted me together in my mother's womb.¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works;   my soul knows it very well.