What are you doing?!? Have you ever said these words to yourself after you realized you zoomed in to a picture on social media trying to get a better look, trying to see how you compare to those in the picture? Whose hair is on point, whose body is banging, whose outfit is the most stylish, whose make up is flawless…..the list can go on and on. It’s what some would call the comparison game.

It’s interesting that we call comparison a “game,” because I’m sure Satan thinks of it as a foolproof strategy to distract and divide us. Usually, the women you compare yourself to are those you know, often friends. But when we obsess over measuring ourselves against them, we usually want to pull away or shrink back not wanting our flaws to be see. Either way the enemy wins.

We’re not alone when it comes to the struggle with comparison. The disciples also struggled with comparison. Their comparison argument was “who’s the greatest?” Luke 9:46-48. I can imagine the disciples moving past each other vying for “greatest disciple” status and making it obvious that they crave an answer to the same question most of us have: “how do I measure up?” Instead of answering the question, Jesus repeatedly offers them a better question: How can I empty myself and serve?

Jesus not only wants the disciples to know, but He wants us to know as well, there is a Kingdom were measuring up isn’t what makes you great. Emptying yourself in humility and putting others first is what makes you great.

If there were a measuring cup filled with all your gifts, potential and resources, the enemy would point to the lines and incite you to repeatedly put your cup next to someone else’s. But Jesus would point to the spout. He invites you to invest what’s inside your cup to serve others and pour out----like He did.

Imagine if Jesus had a measuring cup. His worth is beyond compare, yet He didn’t concern Himself with proving it. Instead, He emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7-8).

For our sakes, Jesus took His measuring cup and turn it upside down. Revealing the most extravagant humility the world has and will ever know, “He…poured out his soul to death…” (Isaiah 53:12). Because He did so, God lifted Him up and gave Him “the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9).

When we seek first the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33), we escape the measure-up mindset of the world.

Does the enemy still have you endlessly comparing and, measuring yourself to friends, cousin and even strangers? Are you tired of zooming in on photos and scrutinizing yourself?

How do I measure up? Is the wrong question! Jesus taught us a better question {How can I empty myself and serve}. One that leads to Kingdom greatness!

When you enter a room full of people or as you are perusing social media, ask, how can I pour myself out? This will naturally turn your attention from the lines to the spout. Your measuring cup contents will take on new purposes. You will begin to look for ways to serve instead of ways to compare.

If Jesus had a photo with His disciples, I think He would zoom in to examine it closely, but not to measure and compare. I think He’d be smiling, remembering how He had invested in each of their lives. He emptied Himself to serve them.

PEARLStoPONDER: Who are you comparing yourself too? Worldly comparison is a tool of the enemy that keeps us focused on self and prevents us from pouring into{serving} others.

Mark 10:45--- For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

John 13:12-17-- ¹² When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Philippians 2:3—Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves