49 Religious Lies Jesus Told Me to Stop Believing - #35 Measure Ourselves Amongst Ourselves

Rejecting Comparison and Embracing Individual Calling

Mark Virkler describes rejecting the belief that people should measure themselves against one another. He recalls feeling unfairly judged by a grading curve, then coming to see people as individually gifted and called—not meant to compete or conform.

Key Takeaways and Practices

• Focus on your own calling: Seek to understand what you are meant to do rather than taking on every worthy cause or expectation.
• Say no without guilt: Decline commitments you do not feel called to pursue.
• Respect others’ individuality: Avoid pressuring people—including family members—to fit your preferences or prescribed roles.
• Encourage different gifts: Help people develop and contribute their own strengths instead of comparing them or expecting everyone to be alike.
• Journal for reflection: Read and reflect on relevant Bible passages, asking what you are—and are not—called to do. Virkler says this helped him reconsider religious activities he had assumed were obligatory.
• Speak affirmations of purpose: Affirm your freedom to be yourself and your intention to use your gifts in service of others.

Presenters and Sources

• Presenter: Mark Virkler
• Biblical source: 2 Corinthians 10:12
• Other source: Release from Religion, a book mentioned for further journaling.