Sometimes I look around me at the lives of other women; their immaculate home, their social grace, their seamless appearance . . . and I’m tempted to ask, “Do I measure up?” How do I fit within the spectrum of life’s expectations?
If I allow myself to sit here awhile in my self-exploration, I will begin to feel less than. I will see my world, my life, my home through all of its flaws and imperfections; but, the reality is that I am losing sight of “the measure”.
“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.” 2 Corinthians 10:12-13
I need to focus on the measure of the rule that God has set for my life, God’s ruler is established to measure each of us just as He determined the measure to be. In a world where everything is measured, (height, width, depth) it is so refreshing to think of a perfect tool of measurement established for each individual by the God who created them.
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office” Romans 12:3-4
The Creator is in control of “the measure”. Just as we need different sized pots and pans in the kitchen to fulfill an intended purpose, God needs individuals with different qualities and gifts to fulfill His intended plan. Our measure is not found in an immaculate home, polished social grace, or our seamless appearance. Our measure is found in fulfilling God’s will for our life through the measure of faith that He has established within us.
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” Ephesians 4:13