Don’t Look Behind … Follow Me
My church just finished a year-plus long study of the Gospel of John. Rich, rich stuff!
I have a particular fondness for the final chapter of this book in the Bible (and have blogged about it more than once). It is a favorite for lots of reasons. But here are the verses I wanted to share with you today:
Peter therefore seeing him [John, who was following Jesus and Peter] said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” (John 21:21-22)
The note I wrote in the margin on June 4, 2000 says:
Jesus was saying, “Don’t look at what I’m doing with someone else’s life. All that concerns you is what I’m doing with yours.” (i.e. keep your nose out of “John’s” business!)
I learned early on, while I was still writing for the general mass market, that there would always be someone getting higher advances, getting better reviews, climbing higher on the bestseller list, getting more publicity. It isn’t any different in the Christian market. All those things remain true.
An author has to work with her publisher to try to help her books reach more readers. I often have conversations with my agent and my editor on ways we can grow sales and reach readers who have never heard of Robin Lee Hatcher. This is just good business. And of course I look at marketing other authors have used and try to glean ideas that will work for me. But I have to remember not to compare myself or my books, not to say, “But Jesus, what about her?” Because if I do say that, I know His response: “What is it to you, Robin, what I’m doing with her books and in her life? You follow Me!”
So if you’ve been in a business — any business — for what feels like an eternity but you can never seem to quite get ahead while others zoom to the top, don’t compare yourself. If you’re a wife, a mother, a daughter, a student, a retiree, don’t compare where you are in life or what you have in life with others. Look forward. Look up. Follow Jesus. Let Him worry about everyone else.
I’m following You, Jesus, the very best I can. Help me to look at You and not over my shoulder at “John.” Amen.
~robin
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Love this! It goes right along with our young moms’ Bible study lesson from yesterday about comparing ourselves to others and losing some of our worth (in our own eyes) instead of focusing on Jesus. I am going to share this with the other moms in our group.
Thanks, Melissa. I’m glad it is something you could share with others.
What a great reminder, Robin. Thank you.
You’re welcome, Lynn.
Thank for sharing that piece of inspiration with me. I really needed to hear it. I struggle sometimes with the lack of business in our firm and knowing that other attorneys have a much broader client base. It is easy to get discouraged by the lack of clients and money. However, I needed to be reminded that I serve God and He will send those clients He wants me to reach. Thank you, again.
Blessings, Dora. God knows best what we need, although our nature is to think we know what’s good for us. We all struggle with it sometimes, I think.
I agree, Robin. When I had my own gallery several years ago in an art town. I could walk down the street and look at the other galleries and artist’s work and either be completely depressed at the great paintings or try to buoy myself up with the really bad paintings. God assured me it was a futile effort. So I stopped. We have to be who we need to be in Him. Being conformed into His image is the only thing we need to be concerned about.
Wonderful example, Sandy. Thanks for sharing it.
Your post blessed me today, Robin! Thank you. God’s word aways hits us right where we’re at, doesn’t it?
Always, Becky. And no matter how well I know certain verses, they can still bring a fresh message at a needed moment.
Thanks for the reminder! Makes me think of the saying, “Don’t let comparison steal your joy.”
Amen, Sandy.
Wonderful post, Robin – – thank you! I needed this reminder (and Scripture) today, as lately I’ve been a little “down on myself”. 🙁 So reading your post reminded me to continue striving to do the very best job I can, in all that the Lord calls me to do. 🙂
Hugs, Patti Jo
{{hugs}}, Patti Jo. Be encouraged.