Tears, Joys, and Examples

It is often said that comparison is the thief of joy.  This is because when we compare ourselves to others and their material or earthly accomplishments we so often fall short of what we believe to be success in their lives. In making such comparisons, too often we miss the true accomplishments we’ve made in our own lives. This can lead to profound feelings of inadequacy.  But comparison for the right reasons, and with the right attitude, is good.  It gives us a target to strive toward. Without an admirable target, most people will slouch toward a loathsome one – or they won’t aim at anything at all. Perhaps you can think of someone in your life who had qualities you would like to emulate. Maybe that person lives a life that is brave, or industrious, or kind, or self-sacrificial. Unless you make a reasonable comparison between your own distinctives and that person’s qualities, you can’t develop a plan to shape your own life in a similar way as theirs. Instead, you’ll miss every opportunity to hone your own bravery, or your own industriousness, or your own kindness, or your own self-sacrifice.   The right kind of comparison brings joy because it gives us an example or blueprint to follow as we build up the good in our lives. What is “the good?” Well, the highest possible good is God.  Paul knew this, and he insisted that we follow his example so that we, too, can have the highest possible good in our own lives (1 Corinthians 10:33-11:1, Ephesians 5:1-2). This principle that Paul insists upon was one in which we strive to be like Christ – and it is consistent throughout his teaching.

In Acts 20:17-24, he lays out his own life as an example to the elders at the church in Ephesus. He is about to leave on a journey to Jerusalem that he anticipates will be filled with imprisonment and afflictions. The first thing he tells them is “you know how I lived among you from the first day . . .”   He isn’t telling them to pay attention to one thing he did here, and another one he did there.  He is telling them that he has set a specific pattern of life that was visible to everyone over time. It was a life marked by humility and tears. He demonstrated humility because he understood his place among men in the world beneath God. He also understood precisely what God had done for him to be saved. The pattern of his life was marked by tears because it was one that had emotional and spiritual connection to the mission God had given him, as well as to the people who would benefit from that mission. This emotional connection meant that he did not shrink back from a pattern of life that both publicly and privately declared the Gospel to everyone at all opportunities (Acts 20:20-21).   

Most of us fall short of the example of Paul – who was doing his best to follow the example of Christ. How many of us shrink back from declaring the gospel? How many of us have a pattern of life marked by humility and tears and afflictions because we strive toward the highest possible good? Can you identify the patterns in your life? What examples are you setting for other believers? What example are you setting for people who don’t yet know Jesus? 

Worldly comparisons may rob us of joy, but following Christlike examples will lead us through trials and afflictions to an inexpressible joy that is full of glory (1 Peter 1:3-9).