Better

It's funny how little things can present such obvious sways in our disposition, changing our mood. For instance, if you saw your name on the ladder and you recognize the name of anyone who's ahead of you, it can be disconcerting. Just like if you recognized a name further down than yours, a little feeling of satisfied accomplishment probably came to your mind. Even though it's a picture and of course the names aren't placed in any particular order on purpose. That's simply the nature of our pride - we may not feel comfortable admitting it out loud but it gets 'affected' when someone else is in a place of prominence over us OR if we feel we're being placed lower than someone else; they're similar but not exactly the same thing.
This is actually about those who are better than us, but not in a way that should affect our pride. This is not about envy but embracing the task before us.

If you’re anything like me, you realize how wholly unrelenting this all seems sometimes. I make choices, make remarks, make mistakes and make a total mess of things, requiring me to repent, regroup and try it again. Since I've been at this for a while, I realize that there's no where else to turn, so I can't say that I feel like giving up, but I can say that sometimes it's hard going on.
Then I think - Whew! Thanks be to God that it's in those times that I have to remember WHO’S doing the making and what method HE’s using.

The same way God uses people (man & woman) to make people, who also uses Disciples to make disciples. So who’s around you? Who's doing this Christian walk thing ‘better than you’? Don’t let your pride get in the way, making you feel icky about someone better than you – remember, if this is going the way God plans someone should also be looking at you because you’re better at it than them.

Notice the picture of the very TALL ladder – There’s Jesus at the top rung and we’re all somewhere NOT at the top rung. You need to see that you’re not reaching past the next rung, but for it. Someone who’s got their tongue under a little better control, someone who’s got their thought life a little cleaner. Someone a little better at being slow to anger and slow to speak. Someone who makes that next rung close enough to be reachable. Those are the kinds of friends we should be looking to get close to. They're the kind of friends that would be all too pleased to help you get to your next rung as they reach for theirs.

Often times its our imaginations that are our biggest enemies. We look at people ahead of us and begin to assume how life must be that much better for them - Uhhh...let's not forget, no matter where anyone else is on the ladder, they're still ON A LADDER and although we may pause here and there, there are no hammocks on the ladder, no lemonade stands in the shade, no places to take an extended break in lasting comfort, we ALL still have climbing to do. This is about being okay with seeing people as better than us - People who actually see themselves as better are either due for a fall, correction, or are simply a ladder rung themselves and we'll learn how to get past them.


Here's The Word;

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 1:7 - 9 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Ultimately, Christ is the goal. He's also the strength. He's the author and finisher, perfecting of our faith.
Let's put our pride aside and choose to feel inspired rather than antsy. Let's appreciate and encourage those ahead of us, just as we encourage and lead by example those who are coming up behind us. Remember, no one has it easy.

Some may take issue with the use of the word 'better' in this and I totally understand. I'm just being honest about what goes on in the quietness of our hearts when that old man tries to impose 'attitude'. If we can take it, embrace it and turn it into praise, we rob him of that tool and are able to see more clearly to move ahead. I'm thankful for every 'better' friend that I have and I hope that I can provide the same steadfastness to others as they have provided to me.

For each rung of 'this' ladder, one things stands true; I won't be here long and someone else will be here soon. This isn't about bragging rights, this is about the business of us all, getting better.

In Him,
Cros