Last week’s discussion centered on the truth that we are our own competition, and not anyone out there. The misconception that someone is our competition creates the impression that we might either be better than some or are striving to be like others. But we are not better than others; because we can’t compare ourselves with others. Therefore, they are not our competition. 

The measure of our standard is not in comparison with others, but with our purpose and our assignments in life. So, before we start the comparison game, we need to first understand what our assignment is and how well are we are faring in fulfilling it. 

Let’s take for example the birds. There are many different species of birds. The eagle knows its place; the dove knows its place; and so do the sparrows. They all have unique features and know how they are supposed to exist and survive. And they do all of that without trying to imitate each other. Their meals are different, they fly at different altitudes, and even where they lay their eggs are also different. The eagle will never think that the vulture is its competition. Why? Because it isn’t. 

The desire to be like others or compare ourselves with them is due to the lack of a thorough understanding of our blueprint in life. Here is the truth. There will never be anyone like you in the entire world. You are the only one that God made the way He made you. Our individual footprints are unique and have no duplicate. So nothing and no one in the whole wide world will ever be you. But what happens to us is that we focus on what others are and we begin to covet things about them. 

This is a common situation for us humans. For some reason we are attracted to every thing but ourselves. We like how someone else talks, walks, dresses, sings, or writes. But we see nothing interesting in ourselves or have no admiration for what we have and can do. Then there’s someone around the corner who is doing the same thing by admiring us and wanting to do things like us. And this keeps revolving around. Which is why it’s difficult to find individuals who are 100% happy with who they are and what they have.

The problem is nothing other than the lack of understanding of the uniqueness of our life and the beauty in our specific design. We were created specifically with all the features we presently have. Your ethnicity is perfect, your voice is unique, your personality is fine; and all of this is why you are who you are and not someone else. The things we have are what makes us who we are. And this will eventually constitute the journey of who we need to become. 

Ask yourself, “Who am I?” Look in the mirror and answer this question, and understand that there is no one like you. There is truly no duplicate of your person or personality. You are the one and only “YOU” that exists in creation. If you fail to embrace who you are and evolve in life, the world will miss out on the gift that is in who you are. There is no doubt that there will be a vacuum in the world if you don’t contribute your uniqueness to the process of existence. Who you are is important and what you have to offer is an essential contribution to your place in existence. 

Think about everyone you admire and what you admire about them. Is it possible that those individuals have discovered themselves and are working in the areas of their great assets? Could this be why you are attracted to them? You are attracted to their uniqueness and until you admire your own uniqueness, no one will be attracted to the real you. It is a game of futility to try to be like others. It is okay to learn from others and use that to build up what we already have. But to try and be like them is doing ourselves a disservice and devaluing our greatness. 

My greatest envy is me. I really don’t know how or when, but I discovered that what is in store for me is unique; and I admire God’s plan for my life. With all sincerity I trust that God has the best for me, and if this is true why don’t I embrace that unique grace of God. Why would I want to abandon “me” and start trying to be like others? Won’t that mean I don’t believe in the work of God? But I do; so I am fascinated by the beauty of God in my life and the journey ahead of me. 

Are there things I like and admire about others including my wife, children, friends, or family members? Absolutely! But do I want to be like them? No! Because that will mean leaving my purpose and becoming an imitation of others. This is the fastest way to lose our savor as the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). There is no point to becoming an individual with no quality or substance.  

Remember, you are or can be the best version of yourself! Don’t lose that perfection of God in you by comparing yourself to others or trying to be like them. Hold on to your placement in God based on your relationship with Him. The choice to be the head and not the tail will be because of your obedience to God. So be obedient to God’s calling for you to be exactly who He designed you to be, and nothing less.