A Comparison and Contrast

(A lesson from a little school room in southern Mexico)

For a writing assignment this week, I asked my kids to write a paper comparing and contrasting themselves with some well-known person, real or make-believe. To get them started, I gave an impromptu comparison and contrast of myself with Mary Poppins.

Mary Poppins is practically perfect in every way, whereas I am not remotely perfect in any way.

Mary Poppins cleans up messes with a snap of her fingers, while I generate messes with no effort at all.

Like Mary Poppins, I love to laugh!

Unlike Mary Poppins, who appears stern but is actually loads of fun, I am perceived as being frivolous and fun-loving, even though deep down I am actually very serious.

Mary Poppins was never without her handy umbrella, but I never think to carry an umbrella, even during rainy season.

According to the book, Mary Poppins "...never told anyone anything." I, on the other hand, tell everyone everything. (I have no secrets.)

And lastly, Mary Poppins stayed and worked contentedly in a place as long as she was needed, and then moved on when the wind shifted. Likewise, I like to see myself as content in a place only until the "wind" of the Holy Spirit moves me on.

*****

Jonny still hasn't turned in his paper, which I believe compares and contrasts himself with Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes. Should prove to be a fun paper judging from the glimpses I have seen.

After the fact, I thought maybe a more worthwhile project would have been to compare and contrast myself with Jesus. After further reflection, though, I discovered there is not much to say in the way of comparison. The contrasts would be in degrees. He is always_________. I am seldom ___________. Very cut and dry. No conjunctions and other connecting words needed (which was, after all, part of the writing lesson). I am sometimes __________. Jesus is never __________. You can fill in the blanks for yourself. Rather sobering, isn't it?

Here's an encouraging Word I found in scripture this week:

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14 (English Standard Version)

Or as the Message Bible puts it:

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.