God has given me grace to speak a warning about pride. I would ask each of you to be emptied of self-promotion and not create a false image of your importance. Instead, honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem. In the human body there are many parts and organs, each with a unique function. And so it is in the body of Christ. For though we are many, we’ve all been mingled into one body in Christ. This means that we are all vitally joined to one another with each contributing to the others. God’s marvelous grace imparts to each one of us varying gifts and ministries that are uniquely ours. So, if God has given you the grace-gift of prophecy, you must activate your gift by using the proportion of faith you have to prophesy. 
Romans 12: 3-6 (TPT)

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It was a warm spring day in the Midwest. The grade school was having its first track meet. The children were as excited to be running as they were to shed their sweatshirts after the long winter. The shot went off, and they all sprang into action. Their little legs were running as fast as they could to cover the 400 meters from start to finish. In a matter of seconds, the race ended amid enthusiastic cheers of “Way to go!”, “You did it!”, and “Super job!”. Well, that is to say, it almost ended. My friend’s little boy, Eli, was still running. He has Down Syndrome, and it causes him to run more slowly than his peers, so he was still completing his course. 

All eyes turned to him as, moments later, he approached the finish line, beaming with delight and shouting, “I’m last! I’m last!” Everyone applauded his accomplishment. 

It’s easy for us to hear Eli’s story and smile. We share his delight in doing something he loves without any reference to how he compares to others. And yet, how difficult that seems to be for us to do ourselves, isn’t it? When Paul admonished us to be emptied of self-promotion and not create a false image of our importance, he showed us the way of Christ, the way of freedom, and the way by which we can enjoy both our accomplishments and those of others. 

Just before verses 3-6, Paul tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The world conditions us to compare and compete constantly. Paul tells us to receive and rejoice in the gifts God has given—to us and others. When we are living in the light of utter dependence on God and the knowledge that everything we do, we owe to his empowerment, we think differently. We recognize that every one of us is unique. No one can do exactly what another can do in the way they do it. We want to see others succeed as much or more than we do ourselves because that’s the way a body works best. 

Next Steps 

Take time to imagine God’s delight in you at work/school/home. Notice how He also delights in those around you who are doing their work well. How do you feel? How can you participate in this reality?  

Is there someone you are competing with or comparing yourself to? Exchange your comparisons for an honest conversation with God. Thank Him for what He has called you to do. Ask Him how you might serve or support that person you’re comparing yourself to.