My Cross Looks Better than Mine

Galatians 6:4-5
4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load.

This passage caught my attention the other day in my devotions. So many times it is so easy to begin to compare my actions with the actions of others, or my work with the works of others. "I'm doing __________ (fill in the blank) and everyone else is doing nothing." Or we ask questions of, "Why am I the only one working hard and everyone else is taking it easy?" But maybe we should be asking ourselves, "Do I have a wrong perspective?"

Each of us has a job to do in the Kingdom of God. We need to do our job, encourage others to do their job, but never compare our job with someone elses job. Remember this quote, "Compare and compete, you'll live in defeat." Each job is different and brings different trials and tribulations.

The cross I bear is different than the cross you bear. Here is an illustration: A man thought the cross he bore was boring and ugly. He wanted a different cross to carry so he asked God to give him a different cross to bear. God took him to a room full of crosses so that he could exchange his. Immediately he saw one that was very beautiful. Covered in gold and lined with diamonds. He wanted that one but when he picked it up, it was to heavy. He did not want to have to carry that one everywhere. He continued looking. He found one with beautiful flowers. It smelled and looked great. "This is the one for me," he thought. But when he picked it up, thorns began to dig down into his skin. It was much to painful for him to carry. Then he saw it. A cross that was a little worn, but had a beautiful wood finish. It was plain but very unique. He picked it up and to his amazement, it was the cross God had given to him.

So each of us has our own cross to bear and we do not know the cross others have to bear. It may look nice or smell nice, but it may be heavy and painful. Be appreciative where you are at and the cross God has asked you to bear.

Test your own actions and carry your own load. Only you can do it.