The doctor that first discovered I had cancer is a friend and Christian brother. When he saw me several weeks ago, He praised God and gave thanks that I was doing so well. He then told an amazing story about a man who goes to his church. When this man went for an examination, doctors found a large mass in his chest which seemed to indicate a dangerous cancer. Surgery was scheduled for the next week.
The Sunday before he was to have surgery, this man brought his need before the church and all the believers prayed with great fervency for a miracle. That week, as the doctors prepared for surgery, an x-ray was taken to find the exact place of the mass to be removed. But the x-ray revealed no abnormality! Puzzled, the doctors checked and re-checked, but could find nothing to remove, so there was no surgery. There was no doubt that God had answered the prayers of His people.
My doctor friend was praising God, the great Healer, and though I joined the praise, I must confess a disturbing thought entered my mind. “God, why didn’t you heal me that way? Why did I have to go through all I did, when you could have healed me instantly?” I am not proud of this thought for I know it is really a complaint. Instead of thanking God for his abundant mercy, I began to compare the path I had to walk with the path of another.
How easy it is to fall into the comparison trap! After the resurrection, Jesus took time to restore the disciple who had denied him three times. He then told Peter that rough days were in the future. “I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Peter must not have wanted to think about Jesus’ hard words, so he began to look around. Spotting John following at a distance, Peter asked, “Lord, what about him?” (read Jesus’ humorous reply in John 21:18-23)
I don’t think Jesus wanted Peter looking at someone else when He was talking to him. I don’t think Jesus wants me to compare my path to another’s. I think Jesus wants our total attention so we can hear his personal words: “You must follow me.” How I want to follow Him this year.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2