The trouble with where we are and where we are going is that many of us wander around thinking of ourselves the way that we think other people think about us, which is the only place “where you should be” originates; in our thoughts. When in reality, we don’t read minds, so why do we think we know what others are always thinking about us? Let that sink in for a minute. We then begin to stop living our lives in a way that produces the results we want to see, because we are constantly holding ourselves to this view we believe others have of us; fighting a mental battle to fix others’ opinions of us in some tangible way. I’ve noticed that it generally involves defending ourselves verbally or striving for achievements that we think others will think well about; something that says to the world “I’m someone.”

I want to ask you, how do you see yourself? What lens are you really looking at yourself through? Are you looking at yourself through distorted lenses of self-doubt, insecurity, perceived failure, perceived judgement? Or are you seeing yourself through a lens created by what others have spoken over you? Perhaps the distorted view of the world we live in? Our cultures, our parents’ or societal standards?

What if I were to tell you that none of those views are accurate depictions of who you are and where you’re going? Each is a version of yourself through a lens of comparison; a manipulated pseudo-reality with no true, unchanging measurement tool. They are a lie. Theodore Roosevelt said “comparison is the thief of joy,” and scripture teaches us that “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy…” (John 10:10). I believe comparison (another synonym for “where we should be”) is the lie that has been stealing, killing, and destroying the ways we view ourselves; stunting our growth in the “where we are” and “where we’re going” part of our life. And I’m here to tell you, it’s time to get free in Jesus’ name!

So then what’s the tool we ought to use as we look at our lives and think about who we are? Well, the next part of that same scripture passage in John 10:10 tells us that Jesus said to his disciples “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Did you get that? God wants us to have life in full! I read something this week that I think is a great illustration that there is no comparison we need to continue making as we view and live out our lives. No more “where you should be.” God’s character and love for us is the only unchanging measuring tool; the only way we ought to view ourselves and others is through His lens! His opinion of you doesn’t change, because Jesus already paved the way!

“Here’s the truth – You are extremely valuable to God! You’re so valuable that even if you never do another thing for Him, your value to God will never change … the value of a penny is defined by the one who created it. The value never alters by how beat up the penny is or what others may say about the penny. … You have extreme value because your Creator has given you enormous value… Here’s the truth: you can’t change your value even if you tried, and others don’t get to define your worth because they did not create you. What people see and place value in is irrelevant to you because only God can decide your value! He’s crystal clear that you are a treasure worth dying for.”

Discovering & Activating My Spiritual Gifts by Havilah Cunnington, page 43, scripture reference, Psalm 139

Wow. I pray you believe that today. You are of infinite value to the one who created you, and it’s not because of anything you did or ever could do for Him. And if that didn’t do it, perhaps this brief reminder through song will help. “I find | It’s always the lie that is loudest | I know the one with the power | Is never the one who is shouting” (When You Speak by Jeremy Camp) So, lean in. Hear the whisper, and cut out the voices and thoughts of a false idea of where you should be, because it doesn’t exist. You are exactly where you need to be if you find yourself here.