Those Ain't Your Shoes

After a night of coming up empty, Jesus shows up on shore for the third time after being crucified. He yells at Peter, John, and their workmates to fish on the other side of the boat, so they do, and they hit the lottery. As Peter does, he reacts with exuberance, changes out of his underwear, throws on his tunic, jumps out of the boat, and runs to shore to see Jesus, who is hanging out cooking breakfast. They get into a relational interrogation where Peter's love is questioned, and a charge is given for him to feed and take care of Jesus' flock. In other words, Peter was given direction to go to work and build the church. Follow Me, Jesus says, it's your turn to lead.  

Peter has seen countless miracles, failed miserably in so many ways, and yet, was given chance after chance, provision beyond explanation, and now trusted to lead the entire thing. He was also told that in doing so, he would die a dreadful death, but to do it anyway. What does he do? He looks behind him, points to his friend, and says, "That's cool, but what about him?"

"'What about him, Lord?' Jesus replied, 'If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?'" (John 21:22)

Isn't that just like us? No matter what we have been given, what situation we are in, good or bad, we just can't help but question our situation versus others. We are given chance after chance, picked up after we fall down, opportunity, significant challenges, trials, as well as provision, and we still play the comparison game. Jesus, who was dead just a little while ago, mind you, is standing right in front of him, and after all they have been through together, Peter still questions Him. How do I stack up against others? Why me and not him? What's he gonna get that I'm not? That's us, and Jesus shuts it down. You worry about you, I'll worry about him.

You are unique, with unique gifts, unique opportunities, and a unique calling.

Our job is not to be better than the next guy; it's to be the best you. To sprout right where you are planted. Spending time trying be somebody else or comparing yourself to your neighbor is a distraction that will deter your progress. That doesn't mean to be complacent and just sit around and waste away, but to get up and go work your tail off with the specific skills you have and win the race in front of you. You can't run someone else's race, so don't try. You need to put on your own tunic and jump out of the boat.  

Like Peter, you are beautifully imperfect. And, you are called into big, important things. Don't look behind you and worry about where anyone else is called or how nice or what color their tunic is. Run your own race, and run it well. You will never find peace in someone else's shoes.