"When we measure ourselves against one another, or compare ourselves to one another, we are without understanding."

We live in a world which is constantly causing us to compare ourselves with others in pretty well every facet of life, whether it be our homes, our cars, our clothes, our jobs, our income, our children, and on and on, often causing us to feel that we somehow do not measure up, or that we have fallen short of some invisable target, and that we're not of much value to others. To counter that idea, we are told from the time we are born that we are the centre of the universe; the most important person on the planet.

Then today, child psychologists tell us that we must not say "NO" to our children, and in the schools, teachers are not allowed to fail a child, or compare them in any way to others. I don't know about you, but all of this seems to be a contradiction to me, and has to be a contributing factor to the confused state that so many are in.

This is especially so when it comes to the Holy Spirit's dealings with me personally. He has never patted me on the back, telling me I'm a good fellow. No, instead he is much more like a sports coach, continually challenging me through the Word of God to, "press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." {Phil 3:14} How about you??