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By Heather Logan

Who do you admire most in life? Admiration leads to growth, and this is how it works.

God has designed and gifted some incredible people in our world. I’m sure you can think of some of those people that you admire. Those people who challenge and encourage you to be better and those who you would love to emulate. 

Maybe it’s how well they love their family and spouse and lead them humbly to the Lord. Or possibly they have accomplished things in their career that you long to do, creating a career through integrity, honesty, and hard work, then reaping the benefits of their labor. Maybe the person you admire simply does things you wish you knew how to do, and it inspires you.

Whatever the reason you admire a person, it is good to be aware that admiration can lead to comparison, jealousy, and bitterness if you are not careful. On the other hand, admiration for a person can also lead you to discover your own God-given gifts and lead you to positive growth and change in your own life. 

What if seeing another person’s God-given gifts challenged you to pursue your own? 

For a long time, I felt inadequate when I saw those I admire succeeding and growing in their gifts while I was simply standing still and unsure what my giftings were. 

These moments caused me to ask questions like: Did I misunderstand God? Did I miss his leading? What does he want me to do? What are the things with which he has gifted me?

I allowed the enemy of comparison to make me think that somehow someone else’s success made me less successful. Thankfully, God is so gracious and kind. One day he gently reminded me that when others succeed in their God-given gifts, I also succeed. Their giftedness does not threaten me or my purpose but in fact the exact opposite.  

As a part of the body of Christ, we are all on the same mission and team. When someone succeeds and I admire them for that success, I get to cheer them on and be reminded that God is glorified in their success. Their success can and should spur me on to pursue the gifts God has given me. It can challenge me to seek the Lord for what he is calling me to do in my own life and how I can faithfully serve him. 

As you watch those you admire walk in their God-given gifts, be reminded that you also have an important role to play in God’s Kingdom. 

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:18-23 NIV, “But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’ On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty.”

Whether your gift seems great or small, you have an important role to play in the Kingdom of God. He has gifted you and equipped you for his specific purposes. This role may not always be seen and praised, and it may not always seem big, but each gift is needed for the body to work as God intended it to do. When you see others stepping into their God-given roles, may it remind you that you also have God-given abilities to pursue. 

If you aren’t yet sure what your gifts are, ask God.

It can be easy to see others’ gifts and forget the ways that God has gifted you. The enemy of comparison sneaks in to make you feel that you are not good enough and will never measure up to those around you. 

Use others’ success to push you towards seeking God and what he has placed inside of you. Use the success of others to remind you that you too have something to offer, and allow God to be the one to speak what those things are. 

Wife Step: When you see others you admire using their gifts, encourage them in what they are doing. Then ask God how you can play a part in the bigger picture.

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