Recently, I have been noticing numbers. The numbers related to other bloggers out there. One blog I read has more than 800 Facebook fans, one gets more than 800,000 views each day and another has more than 1,200 email subscriptions. Those are fantastic numbers, and I’m really glad those blogs are all doing so well. But I would be lying if I said it wasn’t discouraging. I look at my own numbers and feel, well, a little bit like a failure. Not all the time, but sometimes when comparing I just get disappointed, wishing my blog could reach more people or that I could know people enjoy reading my writing.
I remind myself that those are just numbers and that my purpose and mission for this blog is not to reach millions, but to reach whoever it is who needs it, even if it is just one soul.
I think we do that in life too. We compare ourselves to others. I have been reading these other blogs — that I love — and have been comparing my numbers to theirs, leaving me feeling like I’m doing something wrong because my numbers don’t match up — not even close.
Are You Comparing?
Do you do that too? Maybe not with number of views on a blog, but with your talents and skills? Do we look at what God gave us and wonder why we didn’t get her gift. What am I doing wrong God? Why aren’t I reaching as many people as he is?
We compare the ministry God has given us with others’. We begin to wonder if we are making any difference, and we want to give up. Does that sound familiar to anyone? Surely, I’m not the only one who gets discouraged about the ministry I’ve been given.
But here’s what I was laying in bed thinking the other night and what I want to share with you all, even if ya’ll aren’t that many people. 🙂
Comparing ourselves to others is pointless. Because we don’t know what our ministry could lead to. Last night, I was thinking about a blogger who reaches SO many people. And then I thought, what if I only touch the life of one person, but that one person I touch is someone who will lead millions to God? What if the one person I touch becomes the next Billy Graham? What if my purpose is to write this blog for a few years, creating hundreds of posts, just so one person can read one of my blog posts someday down the road. What if that one post changes that person’s life, brings them closer to God? And what if all because of that, that one person changes the lives of others and furthers the Kingdom of Heaven? Well, then I’d say my ministry very much had a purpose in God’s plan. I’d say I was making a difference.
So I ask that you think about that. No matter how big or small your ministry is and no matter whether you see the end results or not, if God called you to it then He has a marvelous plan for it. No matter what your numbers look like.
O Lord, You are my God, I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. -Isaiah 25:1
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Love this honest peek into your heart, Tiffany! You are right…this is a struggle for SO many, and it does seem to be especially prevalent in the online world where our “likes”, comments, followers, etc are out there for everyone to see. Comparison is such an ugly thing, steals so much joy! I would know 😉 You are precious…keep writing your heart out….God IS using you, girl! xoxo
Thanks for commenting Ashlie. You know I love reading your blog, so it’s neat to see you over here on mine!
This post reminds me about a song we used to sing in my church, you may have heard it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSKHFK_jGCQ
Also I’ve had a very hard time with this the past few years of my life, comparing myself to other people. The past three years of my life I was being compared with other people throughout the whole nation that was going through the same training as me. We were ranked from 1 all the way to 5,000. I thought all that was over once I graduated, but that was just the beginning. We’re still constantly comparing ourselves to one another. It’s hard sometimes to feel happy or excited for one of my peers when they do something good, but then I remember that we’re all on the same team and I can’t control anybody else, I can just do the best of my ability.
“A lifetime of labor is still worth it all if it rescues just one more soul.” I love that! I had never heard that song before, but it was exactly what I was trying to say in this post. Thanks for sharing!
I think it’s important to remember that Christ was willing to die for us, even if only one person believed. So, we need to be content if the ministry of our life is able to reach just one person. Of course, it is wonderful if we are able to reach out and lead a large group to believe, but we are only responsible for planting the seed, it’s up to God after that to take care of the increase.
Thank you so much for your blog, it is truly an inspiration. I enjoy reading it and love looking at the pictures. I’m glad that you are willing to share what God has done in your life and also let us see your experiences both up and down. It’s important for everyone to realize that during a Christian’s life you encounter both the mountaintop and the valley.
Thanks for commmenting Ivie Kay, and for the encouragement! Sometimes it is discouraging, but then there are people like you who show me that my blog has a purpose and is being read. Thanks!
I struggle with this often. I do have a ministry and at one time I had 14 kids and then it was 5 and then 1 and now 4. It changes, but it is hard at times. I am always wondering if it really makes a difference. Plus sometimes when I teach, later I learn of a kid that has done something wrong or messed up and I think – I didn’t get through to them. But, as you said, if I reach one kid – it’s worth it. If I help kids realize someone does care and accepts them and loves them – it’s worth it. It is hard not to compare my little group to others or my teachings to others who do so much more. I just have to trust God – and plant the seed as someone said – and allow God to do the harvesting. Thanks for sharing. I think we all struggle with comparison and worry that we are not “as good” as others. God will use us and give us the talent to do His work the way he intended if we just let him. Love your blog!
Actually designmom I wasn’t only thinking of my ministry when I wrote this, I also thought of yours. 🙂