“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Exodus 20:17
Have you ever been envious of another's gifts, talents, ministry- their life- dealt with or perhaps dealing with right now-feelings of inferiority as you measured yourself against that person, and to your mind come up short? Have you ever lamented the fact that you are you and asked God: "Lord, why couldn't I have been that other person?Why couldn't I look like them, have their gifts, their house, their cars & boats, their job, their wealth, their spouse, etc.?
You, the clay, asking the Potter why He made you the way you are?
"... And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Hebrews 12:1a-3
God, who is omni-everything, loves and values each of us most highly.
He doesn't make mistakes.
We are all running the race marked out for us, but on varied and unique tracks, paths that He has mapped out especially for each of us. These paths are illuminated step by step ("Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Psalm 119:105 NIV). We see just far enough so as to not stumble, but not like headlamps on a car that illuminate way ahead. But additionally and more important to remember is that because we each have our own journey, it is necessary that we not jealously compare our lives and the gifts God has given us, as well as our own races to those of our brothers and sisters, no more than Cain jealously compared his situation with Abel's.
Taking our eyes off of Jesus, and looking jealously across the track at others who have different and varied gifts, is a dangerous thing.
So beloveds, let's persevere, and remain focused on Jesus, our prize.
In so considering the Author and Perfecter we will not weary, nor shall we lose heart.
Exodus 20:17
Have you ever been envious of another's gifts, talents, ministry- their life- dealt with or perhaps dealing with right now-feelings of inferiority as you measured yourself against that person, and to your mind come up short? Have you ever lamented the fact that you are you and asked God: "Lord, why couldn't I have been that other person?Why couldn't I look like them, have their gifts, their house, their cars & boats, their job, their wealth, their spouse, etc.?
You, the clay, asking the Potter why He made you the way you are?
"... And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Hebrews 12:1a-3
God, who is omni-everything, loves and values each of us most highly.
He doesn't make mistakes.
We are all running the race marked out for us, but on varied and unique tracks, paths that He has mapped out especially for each of us. These paths are illuminated step by step ("Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Psalm 119:105 NIV). We see just far enough so as to not stumble, but not like headlamps on a car that illuminate way ahead. But additionally and more important to remember is that because we each have our own journey, it is necessary that we not jealously compare our lives and the gifts God has given us, as well as our own races to those of our brothers and sisters, no more than Cain jealously compared his situation with Abel's.
Taking our eyes off of Jesus, and looking jealously across the track at others who have different and varied gifts, is a dangerous thing.
So beloveds, let's persevere, and remain focused on Jesus, our prize.
In so considering the Author and Perfecter we will not weary, nor shall we lose heart.
No comments:
Post a Comment