Should We Compare Our Lives With Our Peers?

I have an identical twin sister. Here are the top 3 questions people always ask us.

1. Are you like sisters? To which we reply ”twins actually”.
2. Like, if I pinch your sister will you feel it? To which we reply, ”no”. (This question usually leads to a “let’s not test it out “.)
3. Do you finish each other’s sentences? To which we reply “usually”, more often in unison.

Growing up as a twin sister brought a consist sense of stability in my life. She was always there just doing life with me. The problem was, I often had a hard time grasping the uniqueness of my own personal journey. Growing up in church I often heard how God made only one of us and that meant we were so special. Mean while here was this other human sharing my face and stealing my clothes.

It wasn’t until much later in life I learned that Identical twins, while sharing DNA, actually have different fingerprints. We were created using the same materials yet uniquely formed.

When I was growing up one of the rules in our house was that you had to be involved in an after school activity. My oldest sister played basketball and ran track so naturally, I gravitated towards sports and discovered a debilitating lack of hand-eye coordination. My twin was an amazing artist but my stick figures were less than flattering.

I found myself comparing their strengths to my weakness. It left me feeling like I had no place. Then I walked into this room full of teenagers with the gift of gab called drama club and suddenly it felt like a home custom made for me.

God has a place and plans ordained for each of us. He knows our strengths and weakness and factored in every mistake we have and will make past and present when he created that plan. The Bible says his word will not return to Him void. Every dream and goal he has placed in our hearts he will bring to pass.

When we use someone else’s life as a tool to measure our own than we take our eyes off of God. Focusing on God and what his word says about us gives him permission to be involved in our day to day. Then, and only then we will have the chance to experience peace, joy, and strength.