John 19-21

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."

Jesus had just foretold Peter of his death. Always wondering how we do when compared to others (as seems to be human nature), Peter asks what's going to happen to John. But Jesus wasn't going to play that game. In the game of comparison with others, there are no winners.

Like Peter, I need to keep my focus on what Jesus tells me is His will for my life. He commands that I must follow Him. His wish is that all would follow Him. How is there unfairness in that? When I am free from the burden of comparison it allows me to better rejoice with those who are rejoicing and weep with those who are weeping. There is no jealousy over what I don't have or guilt over what I have that others do not. My identity, my contentment, and my peace are not tied to how I am doing on a relative scale compared to somebody else. But they are tied to my being in the center of God's will for me and how well I am following Him.