「為什麼妳給我的是草莓棒棒糖，卻給她葡萄棒棒糖呢？」我六歲大的姪女問道。我的姪兒和姪女早就讓我明白，孩子們經常會把自己擁有的與別人的作比較。這意味著，身為疼愛他們的阿姨，我最好能做出正確的判斷！

有時候，我也會把上帝賜給我的與祂賜給別人的作比較。我會問上帝：「為什麼給我這個，給她那個？」這個疑問使我想起，西門彼得在加利利海邊也這麼問耶穌。那時，耶穌剛重建彼得的信心和赦免他先前否認主，還指出彼得將會為榮耀上帝而殉道，並邀請彼得來跟隨祂（約翰福音21章15-19節）。但彼得沒有回應這個邀請，反而問道：「主啊，[約翰]將來如何？」（21節）

耶穌回答彼得：「與你何干？」又說「你跟從我吧！」（22節）我相信耶穌也會對我們這麼說。當祂已經為我們指明人生的方向時，祂要我們信靠祂。我們不應把自己的道路跟別人的道路作比較，而是要單單跟隨耶穌。

接下來的三十多年，使徒彼得一直跟隨上帝，是初代教會一位勇敢的領袖。歷史文件也有記載，彼得在面對邪惡的羅馬皇帝尼祿的時候，毫不畏懼地安然赴死、從容就義。願我們也能堅信不疑地跟隨上帝，全然相信祂的愛與帶領。

“Why do I get a strawberry lollipop when she has grape?” my six-year-old niece asked. My nieces and nephew taught me early on that children often compare what they’re given with what others receive. This means that as the doting aunt, I’d better exercise good judgment!

I too sometimes compare the things God gives me with those He’s given others. “Why do I have this, and she has that?” I ask God. My question reminds me of what Simon Peter asked Jesus by the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had just given restoration and forgiveness to Peter for his previous denial of Him and was now telling him that he’d glorify God by dying a martyr’s death (John 21:15-19). Instead of answering yes to Jesus’ invitation to follow Him, however, Peter asked, “Lord, what about [John]?” (v. 21).

Jesus answered, “What is that to you?” and added, “You must follow me” (v. 22). I believe Jesus would say the same to us. When He’s already given us direction in an area in our life, He desires our trust. We’re not to compare our path with that of others, but we’re to simply follow Him.

For more than thirty years, the apostle Peter followed God as a courageous leader of the early church. Historical records also show that he fearlessly embraced death under the evil Emperor Nero. May we too be steadfast and unquestioning in following God, trusting His love and direction.