She’s so articulate! I marveled as I sat through the class.
Quickly, however, my admiration devolved into comparison—then gave way to jealousy and despair. I thought of all I should change to be like her, lamenting, I wish I were that well-spoken. My attempts are just embarrassing in comparison. Why even try?
It happens imperceptibly: we’re plodding along contentedly, then suddenly find our minds assaulted by comparison and doubt. Even when doing God’s work, we can despair that someone else is doing it better. That their work is more important. That our gifts are paltry, our efforts vain.
That’s exactly what Satan wants—for he knows how easily comparison robs the kingdom of real fruit when God calls desperately-needed laborers to His harvest.
In truth, there’s plenty of work to go around.
"Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).
God asks us to labor together—as one team! While we might look at others and see only perfection or competition, God sees how they struggle (just as mightily as we do) with weakness. It’s those varied strengths and weaknesses that He uses intentionally to knit us together in community.
God also calls you, specifically, personally, to surrender your gifts for the harvest. No one else has exactly the same connections, lived experience, or unique combination of gifts that you do. He made you distinctly for work that He’s inviting you to—for the exact way, time, place, and souls that He intends.
He doesn't call you in order to be the best—He calls you to be faithful.
Our world is utterly famished for God’s love. When we begrudge others their fruit, we limit the harvest. Yet when we champion others’ labors for the harvest, we not only multiply their fruit, but shift the focus off of our own glory so God can bear more fruit through us—reaching countless valuable souls in need.
Let us beg God to send more laborers into the abundant harvest of souls just waiting for His love.
Where can you reach out and encourage someone in her gifts today?
Megan Hjelmstad (“Helm-stead”) is a wife, enthusiastic hockey mom, and Army Veteran living in Denver, CO. After serving fifteen years in the United States Army, Megan now serves the Church as an author, speaker, and women's mentor in her “spare” time. Megan loves to share God’s hope in suffering and is the author of Offer it Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering. She’s a long-time team member of Blessed is She and a writer and speaker for several other ministries. Megan adores books, sleep, sunshine, and Colorado’s great outdoors almost as much as she adores Jesus in the Eucharist. Learn more at MeganHjelmstad.com.
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