The boy wanted to run faster than his daycare friend. She was five and had reached the lofty position of being a Kindergartener. He was four and was in awe of his friend. He was certain he would one day marry that friend, after he first bested her in a race across the expansive lawn at the daycare. He explained that the way he figured it, in just two years he would be in First Grade and then he would be taller and faster than his Kindergartener friend. In just two years! His parent gently explained that his friend would continue to grow just as he would and so … when he was in First Grade, she would be in Third Grade. It was a crushing blow to the young man’s reasoned approach to getting ahead in life from a four-year-old perspective.
Comparing ourself to someone else is a two-edged sword, isn’t it? Either we are discounting our friend’s talent, skill, or ability as we consider our own abilities to be superior, or we are discounting our own abilities and determining ourself to be lacking and less than. It can be a vicious circle, perhaps only tamed by remembering in our hearts and reminding our minds … we each are made in the image of God and He made us this way on purpose – for the work and purposes He has for us. No matter how fast our friend runs.
In a way, the inspired author of Hebrews offers a similar “parental” or wise-counselor course-correction for our thinking. In verse four of Chapter 1, we are reminded of the vast difference between God’s Son, Jesus, and all of Creation, even the angels. Speaking of Jesus, the author writes:
… having become as much superior to angels as the name he (Jesus) has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Hebrews 1.4
Reminding the beleaguered Hebrew believers of Jesus’ divinity and thus complete superiority is the invitation to trust, to know, to follow. He is the best and only way to confirm their standing with God for eternity … His Son is superior to all, even the heavenly messengers they hold in lofty appreciation.
This week, let’s commit to memory the final of our four verses from the astounding start to the Book of Hebrews:
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Hebrews 1.1-4
With a humbled and joyful heart, Colleen