2 Corinthians 10:12 We do NOT dare to classify or COMPARE ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and COMPARE themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

I swim at Nova Masters during lunch Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Virtually everyone there “seems” to be a Who’s Who of swimming. I have seen some of our Olympians, Iron Man triathletes, folks who competed in the World Championships in Sydney, as well as our own swim meets. (to date, I have not been asked to “compete” at our swim meet).

Friday, a young woman came to my lane, “Lane 1,” to share the lane for an hour. When Coach Mike saw her he shouted out, “Hey, Jet!” (apparently her nickname). She started swimming while I asked Coach Mike who “Jet” was. She is the sister of an Olympian, and is (or was) the third fastest woman swimmer in the 1,500 meters in the world. And I was getting ready to share Lane 1 with her for an hour. Yikes!

When I am on this pool deck I am Barney Fife in a world of Sheriff Andy Taylors. I am Gomer Pyle in the Marines. I am Maxwell Smart in a world of KAOS and CONTROL agents. I am “George” in a world of Jerry Seinfelds.

Everytime “Jet” passed me in Lane 1, it was as if I was treading water while a canoe raced by me.

Time, after time, after time, after time…

I don’t recall her hanging on the wall looking for oxygen molecules like I do, or looking at the clock every 4 laps wondering, “Surely, it MUST by 12:00 by now.”

Monday I shared a lane with a woman that just finished her 3rd Boston Marathon.

Typically, watching people swim past me like I was a harbor buoy would be discouraging. “Will I ever swim like these folks? Why am I soooooo slow? Am I the secret laughing stock? Am I our swim team mascot? If one of our top swimmers is in a slump, would Coach Mike have them share Lane 1 with me to bolster their confidence?” I’m being facetious… sort of.

When there are people around us who are doing better than we are in life, marriage, kids, finances, career, health, whatever, comparison can be a terrible task master. Comparison can run us into the ground, or into a cave. Comparison can kill our attempts to try again, to lift ourselves up, or pursue a dream.

Paul says when we compare ourselves with others “we are not wise.”

There is something strangely freeing about sharing Lane 1 with marathoners, triathletes and even a few “Jets.” I am slowly catching on that I’m “OK.” “Discouragement” doesn’t have to walk off the pool deck with me. I don’t have to let “Discouragement” in the car on my way back to church. I don’t have to look at “Discouragement,” until I see who I “get” to share Lane 1 with next time.

Galatians 6:4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else.