Peace in the Classroom: Calling, Not Comparison

"Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load."

-Galatians 6: 4-5

Teaching today comes with a front-row seat to everyone else’s classroom. Through social media and shared videos online, we are constantly invited into highlight reels of beautifully organized and decorated rooms, innovative lessons, polished anchor charts, and thriving classroom cultures. I'll confess that I have my own favorites that sometimes lead me down a rabbit-hole of scrolling before I even realize it! It is a powerful community of practice that educators have built in the online world, from validation to fresh ideas to meaningful emotional support. However, even those positive supportive spaces can quietly shape our hearts in unintended ways. What begins as inspiration can quickly turn into comparison. We scroll and wonder if others are teaching better, reaching students more effectively, or doing this work with more ease than we are. In those moments, it’s easy to forget that we are not seeing the full story but instead are seeing highly curated snapshots. It's easy to begin measuring our worth as teachers against someone else’s calling, with the teacher online or the teacher down the hall.

In a profession marked by visibility and metrics, it is tempting to measure ourselves by what we can see: another teacher’s classroom, another colleague’s teaching style and strengths, or another person’s recognition or results. And when we do, we begin to feel like we don't quite measure up to the standards of our profession, or maybe we begin to question if we are even in the right vocation. But Scripture has a clear message for us in these moments: “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” (Galatians 6:4–5). While this section of Galatians is about supporting God's family of believers and emphasizing the types of personal relationships that we should have, there is a clear emphasis on accountability and a reminder to avoid comparisons. God’s call has never been about comparison, it has always been personal.

God did not call you into teaching to mirror someone else’s strengths, teaching style, or success. He called you, with your particular gifts, temperament, and personal story to carry a load uniquely designed for your life and your students. Our measure is not influence or admiration, but integrity to the calling God has placed in our hands.

This truth matters even more when relationships at work feel strained. Challenging colleagues, those who misunderstand us, compete with us, or wound us, can tempt us to second-guess our calling or harden our hearts. Yet Galatians offers both freedom and responsibility: freedom from comparison, and responsibility to walk humbly, carrying our own load without resentment or rivalry.

As we wait for Christ anew this season, remember that Jesus Himself came without fanfare, without comparison, and without competition, faithful to the mission the Father gave Him alone. May you spend the next few days of Advent renewing your teacher identity, anchoring you not in how you stack up against others, but in the grace of being called, known, and sent by God to do this work, right where you are.

Calling or Comparison?

Where have I been measuring myself against others instead of measuring my faithfulness to God’s call?

What load is God asking me to carry?

Which comparisons should I release to faithfully answer my own calling?

Prayer

God, quiet my heart amid the noise of comparison. Remind me that my calling is personal, my work is seen by You, and my faithfulness matters more than any measure of success. When I am tempted to compare classrooms, relationships, or results, help me return to the work You have entrusted to me alone. As I wait for You this season, anchor my identity not in what I produce, but in Your love that calls me by name. Thank You for the privilege of teaching where You have placed me to do Your work. Amen.