I think all if us at some point and to some degree want to outshine, one up, and “best” other people. It’s part of our flesh, especially men, to want to be better than the rest. Our world rewards this mentality-besting others is seen a achievement and advancement. 

I think a dangerous cataclysm arises when this mentality is brought into the church. As we lead, serve, and minister, the idea of doing better than others can easily creep in. We don’t acknowledge or recognize it at first. We see it as just walking under our gigging or calling, but if we aren’t careful, it will turn into an all out performance match. 

We can’t let this happen. What does God desire? He desires His servants to serve and pour out all things from one source-Jesus. He wants us to bring our best-but not compared to what others bring. It’s strictly between you and God. He desires YOUR best. Thats for all of us. And with that perspective He is pleased.

Romans 12:1 states “Give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him”

This passage shows us that we are living sacrifices to God. It made me think about sacrifices and the idea that God wants our best, not what is better then the person next to us, but OUR best. Looking back in the Bible to when the order of sacrificial offerings are outlined in the beginning of the book of Leviticus, something interesting and relevant surfaced. In this book, various sacrifices (offerings) are outlined. The animals and elements sacrificed could be different-bulls, goats, birds, grains, etc. So the sacrifice could look different, but there is one over-arching, extremely important detail. The sacrifice had to be the best. Unblemished, clean, choice. As long as this component was followed (alongside preparation) the Word states that it was a special gift to the Lord, and was a pleasing sacrifice (aroma). 

That I find amazing and so relevant to us today, as living sacrifices! All of us are different, uniquely gifted and crafted by God. We are all different, unique living sacrifices. But one thing must be consistent-we must bring our personal best to God. It’s not about being better than other people. It’s about pleasing God. And as the Word shows us, God is pleased when our best is given-each according to our different callings and gifting. So yes, our sacrifice will look different in some aspects, but it must be our best. Not compared and contrasted with each other, but to what God desires-pure and holy. If this is our passion, our desire, to please God, our best is required, and as a result we will see God use us in the ways He alone desires-which will be bigger, greater, and wider than anything we do when we are just trying to do better than those around us. It’s simply about pleasing Jesus, and that is exactly what we must do.