Beware of The World's Standards

People constantly measure our abilities and actions to a set of worldly standards. In the world of secular work, we are measured by the titles we are given, the income we receive, and the projects we are assigned. People who don’t even know us measure us by those standards. It can be easy to begin to measure ourselves by those standards as well.

I’m embarrassed to admit that I have fallen into this trap. I’ve been prideful when receiving a larger bonus than the other workers in my department. After all, I must have deserved it. I must have worked harder and smarter. I’ve also believed the opposite. When I’ve been excluded on a project, I’ve measured myself and found myself lacking. When we begin to believe that the work itself and the worldly measure of that work is most important, we can begin to have a prideful or disappointed and angry spirit.

Paul warns us in scripture:
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. Romans 12:3 (NLT)

Today, I am going to measure myself by God’s standards. And the good news is that my friend, Jesus, is testifying on my behalf.