Occasionally I’ll have a dream from which I almost awaken laughing, and I had one of those last night. I saw a series of business offices. In the first, a man was gesticulating with his arms to emphasize the spaciousness of his office. Another, during a meeting with a visitor, showed off the size of his business accommodations by pushing his large desk to various parts of the room. A third pointed out the immensity of his work area by repeatedly zooming across the room on his rolling office chair.
In business, status is reflected by the size of one’s office (if you are high enough up to even get one). I heard at my company one now has to be a senior vice president or above to qualify for a space with a door. At certain ranks you get additional pieces of furniture to fill the void, maybe a credenza, table, or loveseat. The top chiefs essentially have a living room in their offices! (Maybe that’s because they practically live at work?)
Have you noticed how people have a tendency, even from childhood, to size one another up? Some never outgrow it.
One instance from several years ago comes to mind. I was meeting with a business owner who left me waiting in his reception area well after our appointment time. Then he sent a minion out to escort me down the hallway to his office, presumably because he was too important to leave his throne. When I entered his office, he stood from his ornate desk and leather chair, came over, shook my hand, looked me up and down, and said, “You’re probably what, 6 foot?” Perhaps I gave a puzzled nod, but in the course of our unremarkable conversation, interrupted by one or two assistants stopping by, I realized everyone in that office was shorter than the boss! Interesting. The encounter ended with him giving me a copy of a favorite business book—which, with a flourish, he inscribed and signed, even though he was not the author.
One can find various quotes on the internet about comparison being the thief (or death) of joy. 2 Corinthians 10:12 tells us, For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. Bonus break: take a minute to read Psalm 49:16-20.
When we compare, it doesn’t tend to be from a place of gratitude but rather from one of discontent. 1 Timothy 6:6 tells us godliness with contentment is great gain. Psalm 139 reminds us God has lovingly formed us and we’re wonderfully made, each of us a unique expression of His creativity and workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). It’s not the size of our offices, homes, or paychecks, the year or model of our car, or even our physical appearance that gives us worth. Such standards of measure reflect the world’s empty way of life.
As believers, we derive our worth from the price paid for us—one far beyond that of silver and gold (1 Peter 1:18-19). Let’s drop comparisons and enter His gates with thanksgiving! We have been blessed!
