Dare NOT to Compare

I'm just sitting here praying & preparing for today's service ... when I realized something that has been going in in my spirit that is wrong.

Since I started blogging last week, I've been reading a ton of pastor & church planter blogs and going to their church web sites. There are so many GREAT churches and pastors out there doing GREAT things for God. However, in my spirit and mind I began to compare myself and my church to others. The usual result was a mild state of depression over what I/we weren't doing well at Rock Bridge.
I like to stay somewhat 'dissatisfied' because it keeps me from becoming complacent and coasting along; however, I was getting down on myself, our staff, and our church ... I was getting ridiculous!

The bottom line is that I as a pastor/planter/Christian must look to God first for direction, vision, ideas, and revelation on how to lead His church and walk with Him. I had slowly begun to look to other churches and pastors.

Now if God chooses to show me something through another pastor or church, then great.
However, my eyes have to be fixed first and foremost on Christ. The problem is that sometimes it is easier to read someone else's blog, visit their web site, read their book, send them an email, etc. than to get on my knees with my heart open to hear God's voice.

Sometimes I wonder ... how can God use me inspite of myself? Then I stand in AWESOME WONDER at how great and gracious our God is!! May my eyes ever be on Him and my ears ever tuned into His voice!