Cindy Powell

“Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!'” —John 21:22

It’s probably no surprise that as a writer, I also like to read. There are many writers who stir me. Many writers who inspire me. Those who move me. Those who compel me to yield more, give more, believe more, love more.

One of those writers is Katie Davis. (You can read her blog here.) Her words always strike a deep chord in my heart. Every time I visit her blog my heart aches with the desire to live a life that counts; a life that truly reflects the love and beauty of Jesus.

Katie started Amazima Ministries in Uganda (and started adopting children herself) when she was just 19. Even though she is still in her early 20’s, her writing, and even more her life, reflect a level of maturity and spiritual depth that is rare in those twice her age.

Well, I am twice her age (and then some!).  It would be so easy for me to compare my own life to hers and feel not only ineffective and inadequate–but also downright shallow and selfish!

Yet on the flip side, Katie seems to disagree with the assessment many have made of her life. In fact, in one of her recent blog posts she writes of struggling with all the accolades and attention her ministry and writing bring. Since she lives in her own skin 24/7, amongst the marvelous glimpses of the miraculous, she also sees the mundane and trying details of everyday life. Including, I’m sure, areas where, like all of us, she is still growing and learning.

So funny how we often see ourselves so differently than others see us. Even worse, we often see ourselves very differently than God sees us.

Not too long ago a friend sent me a quote attributed to Steven Furtick. It is a poignant and profound word regarding comparison:

“The reason we struggle with insecurity is that we compare our behind the scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.”

We see only glimpses of the lives of others–the highlight reels–and make assessments and assumptions (good and sometimes not so good) based on very limited information. When we do, we will always find ourselves coming up short.

It seems we fallible human types have struggled with comparison for a very long time. When Jesus was in the process of restoring Peter after a very public failure, Peter’s attention drifted to some things he heard about his buddy, John (See John 21). Jesus didn’t bother to correct Peter’s wrong assumptions about John, he just drew Peter’s attention back to his own calling and responsibility.

And what was Peter’s responsibility?

Just follow Jesus.

That’s our calling and responsibility, too. Just follow Jesus. No more, no less. Follow where he leads you. Do what he asks you to do. Right here, right now, in this season of life …

Just follow Jesus.

I don’t have the grace to be Katie Davis. I love and appreciate God’s work in and through her life, but he hasn’t asked me to live her life. However, he has asked me to live my own life.

He’s asked me to just follow Jesus.

And when I do, I’ll always have the grace to be me. I’ll have the grace to be the best “me” I can possibly be.

There is grace for you too …

Just follow Jesus.

Lord, thank you for amazing grace. The grace to simply be me. You’ve never once asked me to be what I’m not, or to do anything you’ve not already empowered and enabled me to do. You just want me to be … me. Help me, Lord, to be the best me I can possibly be. Help me to go where you go and do what you do all the days of my life–that my life might truly reflect the beauty of your love. ~ Amen.