The Comparison Game

The Comparison Game

Imperfect Women

I settled in for my first day of school. At last came the moment I had waited for: the time to use our new writing tablets and chunky pencils. Mrs. Thompson instructed us to fill half a page with vertical lines and the other half with circles. I worked carefully and then leaned back to survey my work with pride—until I glanced across the aisle. The girl beside me had completed a page of evenly spaced straight lines and perfectly shaped circles. Suddenly, my own page looked like a sloppy mess. Disappointment replaced the feeling of satisfaction. Years later, I learned that the girl had already gone through first grade once.

It’s hard not to compare our performances with those of others. If we compare ourselves with the Proverbs 31 woman, we will probably be discouraged, and if we look at Jezebel, all of us ought to look pretty good. The Bible never sugarcoats the imperfections of the women who fill its pages. In spite of failures and poor choices, God used some imperfect women in powerful ways. The list of faith heroes in Hebrews 11 includes Sarah, in spite of her mistakes and momentary lapses of trust in God’s promises.

When we play the comparison game, we can always find someone who will make us seem superior, but in this earthly life, none of us can meet the standard of God’s perfect holiness. Thankfully, Christ’s death and resurrection have made it possible for those who believe in him to be perfect in God’s eyes. While our status remains “perfect” in spite of momentary lapses and wavering faith, becoming holy is a process. To become more like Christ, we need to practice every day, just like filling a page with lines and circles.

By that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

Hebrews 10:14