On Competitiveness and Comparisons

I don't know about you, but I have this problem. It's called comparing myself to other people. I'll be the first to admit that I'm competitive. I used to be the kid who got really upset when I messed up on math drills and took a longer time to finish than I had before. Read: I always wanted to be breaking my own records. (Getting upset about math drills is no longer a problem...) I was the seventh grade girl trying to outrun eighth grade boys. Sometimes I won and sometimes I lost. Fast forward 10 years, and if it's true that experience is a good teacher, it's equally true that some habits die hard. I think being competitive can be great - if channeled correctly. But. Sometimes that competitiveness makes me compare myself to others around me. Why are they getting into really awesome graduate schools when I am still waiting for news? If I let myself find my significance and my identity in my accomplishments, it's honestly a bleak picture. There will always be someone better than me in some area. However, if I let myself find my significance in who I am in Christ, that changes things drastically. I'm so thankful that Peter asked Jesus questions that I find myself asking 2000+ years later. Peter is walking with Jesus after His resurrection, and he's just been forgiven for denying Him. And not only that, but he's called by Jesus to follow Him! Then, Peter turns around and sees another disciple and asks, "Lord, and what about this man?" (John 21:21) That. Totally what I want to ask when I'm looking at other people and the successful lives they lead. 

Jesus's response was perfect 2000 years ago and equally perfect today. "...what is that to you? You follow Me!" Such a good reminder that I am called to follow Him. If I am where He wants me to be, living the life that He has called me to lead, that is all that I ought to seek. Regardless of where I end up next year, this is what I choose to hold dear and listen to above all else - His call and His call alone.