John 21:21-22 "When Peter saw him [John], he asked, 'Lord, what about him?' Jesus answered, 'If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you, you must follow me'"

Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Comparison is the thief of joy". Folks, there is no joy to be found in measuring your life against anyone else's. One of the best pieces of advice I've received is, "Never compare your beginning to someone else's middle".

I hear all the time…I want to be further along in my career. I want to provide better financially. I want a bigger house. I want a nicer car. Why is it easy for her to talk to people? Everyone loves her. Why am I not more like that? I wish I was more outgoing and popular. He has such a good handle on life, why do I constantly feel like I am struggling to figure things out? I wish it would be easier, why not me? These thoughts are like a vacuum that sucks the joy right out of life.

In John 21, Peter was consumed with what John was going to do. He was comparing himself to John, and Jesus answered and said "What is that to you?" In other words, Jesus had something unique and special for both John and Peter, but in essence was saying, "Get your eyes off of what he's doing and get your focus on what I've told you to do and Me".

Listen family, you’re an original, you're not meant to be a copy of someone else. Don't let comparison be a thief in your life. Comparing who God has made you to be to someone else, comparing your child to someone else's, or comparing your spouse to someone else's. That’s a recipe for frustration, disappointment, bitterness, and resentment. Listen to what Jesus is saying to you…"Don't worry about everyone else, follow Me, listen to me, keep your eyes on ME!