My perfect Picture

Intro

finishing up our series Picture Perfect.

this need/drive to create some image that appears all together, just right… perfect.

I think most of us would say my life is not picture perfect no matter what online looks like.

But, how are we even deciding what a perfect picture of life even looks like?

So often, the way I construct the image of what my life is supposed to look like is based on what other people lives do (or appear) to look like.

Have you ever done this, Felt really good about something you did, accomplished, or even got, until you looked at someone else.

Now mine doesn’t feel as big of a deal anymore.

Now mine’s horrible.

I remember Christmas’, It was always awesome. My parents always gave us great presents.

I was so excited about my bike or my sega genesis!

Until I go to school and I hear what my friends got.

Nothing changed with me, but not it wasn’t good enough.

Comparison.

Andy Stanley said

“Comparison is determining where I am based on where everyone else is.”

Imagine this.

You’re building a house.

On one side of the you use your tape measure.

Someone over here uses this string they’ve put marks on.

the person building the upstairs uses their fingers and forearms..

Mishmashed, house of cards?!?

Because there are so many different measurements used, it can never be built correctly.

measuring correctly is just using a standard guide of comparison.

Comparison isn’t bad. It’s great, it’s necessary.

But comparison to the wrong things will be devastating.

So many measuring sticks.

I don’t look like them.

I don’t have what they have.

I wish I had that opportunity.

If only my family...

their successes, their fake filtered instagram photo, their expectations on me.

Always trying to measure up.

I love Peter in the bible because I feel he is a guy I can relate to so much.

(scripture set up)

When Jesus is taken to be crucified Peters runs away ,scared he could be next.

Jesus dies and then rises from the dead.

The book of John ends with this story.

Jesus is sitting with Peter on the shore bringing him back in.

Jesus asks Peter 3x, Do you love me, Yes I do!!

John 21:18-19

““I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.””

Follow me, Peter is back!

John 21:20-21

“Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?””

yeah I’m back. Jesus has called me!

Immediately he opens up his social media, Oh but look at them.

I know you have something for me, but look at this guy...

Look at John over here, What about him, I can’t measure up to that.

John 21:22

“Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.””

Peter, get your stop looking at him and keep your eyes on me!

There is a heavy cost of comparison.

Comparison is a subtle thief and filler.

You don’t realize in the moment all is taking from you as you measure against the wrong things.

Living life with a measuring stick, through comparison, will either make you feel SUPERIOR or INFERIOR.

See others and it fuel your pride in how much better you’re doing.

Luke 18:9-11

“Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!”

I’m doing pretty good, at least im not like them.

If someone else's failure makes you boast in your righteousness, you’ve missed the mark of what you should be looking at.

Romans 12:3

“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”

We also look at others and it makes us think how horrible we are.

Either superior or inferior.

Comparison Robs Contentment.

Who you are and where you are is never enough.

What about them...

Phil 4:12-13

“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Contentment is a settled soul

Discontent is a constant feeling of lack.

I should have already found that someone by now. (so we force it)

I should have already accomplished more.

I should make more money.

You’re miserable because your trying to live their picture not yours!!

Comparison Robs Purpose

just like with peter.

Peter, you’re not meant to be John. and if you just look at him you will be a poor imitation of his calling and never fulfill yours!

the wrong measure robs you of who you’re called to be.

Comparison Robs Holiness

Holiness is becoming more like God himself.

Holy is to be set apart and be different.

We’ll never be more like God, while trying to be more like people...

How much has comparison robbed from you, maybe without you even realizing?

How do I measure what matters?

How do I know I measure up? ( this is the big questions isn’t it )

Comparison isn’t bad. It’s needed.

We have to be compared to the right standard If we want the right measurement!

We are created in God’s image an intended to reflect that image.

That is the only image to compare to attain picture perfect.

Gen 1:27

“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

2 Cor 3:18

“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”

Col 3:10

“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.”

Only that comparison completes.

How to really measure yourself

1. Lose the Stick

People measure height, God measures heart.

This tall to ride this ride, do this to measure up, look like this, act like this.

God measures what’s on the inside.

You can’t hold a stick up to a heart. But what’s in it??

God doesn’t use a stick, he uses a scale.

1 Samuel 16.

god had instructed Samuel the prophet to find a new king.

Saul, the current, was tall and handsome but didn’t have a right heart.

Going to Jesses house to find the next king.

1 Samuel 16:7

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.””

Lose the stick Samuel, I weight something deeper.

It’s about your faith.

Proverbs 27:19

“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.”

Stop letting people measure and categorize you with a stick.

Get on the scale! What’s in your heart??

God doesn’t care how popular you are.

How many followers you have.

How many likes and shares.

If your keeping up with the joneses.

How’s your heart??

We have to stop measuring by what’s around us and start measuring what’s within us.

2. Use the Word

How do I know the measuring standard of God.

Through his word.

Instead of checking what everyone else thinks before you post or before your comment or before you act.

Check the word of God!

Proverbs 11:1

“The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.”

Using the wrong things to weight by..

(Exodus 30:13 The sanctuary Shekel, standard measurement)

Check the calibration of your scales with the word of God.

What does God say?

James 1:23-24

“For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.”

It’s what your meant to look like!

3) Practice Gratitude

Gratitude is a practiced discipline.

Gratitude fights back agains comparison.

1 Thess 5:18

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Remember how good God has been to you through Jesus.

It’s never Jesus plus anything, he’s enough.

Grateful for your life and your calling.

Grateful for their successes.

A life fixed and focused on Jesus, doesn’t measure by others but measures by impact.

Conclusion

Peter! Don’t worry about him, you follow me.

Keep your eyes on my and your feet in your lane!!

Stop painting their picture.

What stick have you let give you meaning?

It can’t be where am I based on where they are.

But where am I based on who you have me to be God.