Rejecting the World of Measurement

14Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.15Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. - 1 Corinthians 12:14-18

Chapter 2 of Rosamunde and Benjamin Zander's book, "The Art of Possibility," describes what they call the "World of Measurement." This is a world where we are constantly measuring our own worth as compared to standards given to us not by God, but by man. It is a world where we feel like we're in constant competition with others. It's the source of most of our angst and depression. How often do we feel sad or disappointed with ourselves, not because we did something wrong, but rather that we didn't reach that standard we had in our mind. 

Our Choir often feels that way. They'll do a perfectly fine piece of music, and then afterwards with say to me, "Well, we weren't that bad today." As if to say, "Despite the multitude of mistakes we so obviously made, the congregation seemed to like it." I find myself reminding them that it's not about doing a perfect performance, but rather, about participating in the making of music for the glory of God.

I had to struggle with this kind of "Stinking Thinking" all of my life. I often find myself obsessing over how well I did in comparison to others. This would lead to a downward spiral of depression which would just ruin my life. Two things that saved me: My return to the church in 2004, and letting go of perfectionism. 

To me, that's what this passage from Corinthians means. I should not be made to feel "less than" simply because I don't fit in with someone else's idea of what a Christian should be. God made me with the talents that I possess, which I can use for the glory of God. And if I stop comparing myself to others, and instead view myself the way God sees me, I see that I am an integral part of His plan for the Universe.
Lord, thank you for reminding me to see myself through Your eyes, not through those that make me feel inadequate. Help me to use my talents to fulfill Your will. In Jesus' name I pray.