As women serving overseas, our opportunities for comparison are limitless. With a sideways gaze, without conscious thought, we might assess each other's language ability, ministry “fruitfulness,” and closeness with the Lord. 

If we have children, we will inevitably compare their overseas adjustment and educational success with other expat families in our community. Not to mention the growing concern we might feel for how they are measuring up with kids of similar age in our home countries. We will wonder if we made the right decision when we chose the TCK life for them. 

In addition, with anxiety or resentment, we might whip out of our back pockets the “expat comparison measuring stick” regarding support level, engagement with local culture, years on the field, health capacity, employment security, and housing/lifestyle choices...

The sideways gaze is quite tempting, isn't it?

Miriam and Aaron could identify with our comparison battle.

After the Israelites' miraculous escape from Egyptian bondage, as they began their difficult wilderness journey, Moses' older brother and sister talked against him behind his back because of his Cushite wife. They said, “Is it only through Moses that God speaks? Doesn’t he also speak through us?” (Numbers 12:1-2, MSG)

They grew tired of the spotlight always shining on their baby brother. I can identify, can't you? It sure didn't seem fair. What made him so special anyway?

God's response brought these jealous siblings to their knees. His anger burned hot against them, resulting in Miriam contracting the dreaded disease of leprosy. Horrified, Aaron begged Moses not to hold their sin against them. Moses chose to intercede, and God healed her.

Years later, the Apostle Paul addressed this issue of unhealthy comparison in his second letter to the Corinthians: “We’re not, understand, putting ourselves in a league with those who boast that they’re our superiors. We wouldn’t dare do that. But in all this comparing and grading and competing, they quite miss the point. We aren’t making outrageous claims here. We’re sticking to the limits of what God has set for us. But there can be no question that those limits reach to and include you. We’re not moving into someone else’s 'territory.'” (2 Corinthians 10:12-14, MSG)

What a hopeful challenge for us to consider our limitations as gifts, not curses, from God. How might we as sisters in God's family work together, instead of competing, for the furtherance of His Kingdom?