Jealousy

Sometimes I think of people that work so hard to "keep up with the Jones'" and how stressful they make their lives, working so hard to buy more and more stuff.  Those who live by the motto of, "He who dies with the most stuff, wins" really have a sad life.  The are driven by jealousy and greed.  I'm thankful for my simple life.  There are, occasionally, "things" I'd like to have, but I wouldn't really be upset if I never had it.  I usually count on not ever having it.  Then it's more of a joy when I do receive it. 

But even those who are not driven to a life full of jealousy and greed, we still have to watch out for that little green eyed monster.  He doesn't always show up in our lives as the one who wants the newest car like our best friend has, or the big swimming pool like our neighbor just put in.  I know I have to watch out more for the "why does it seem God is working more in their life than mine?"  Or "why can't I have such a successful ministry too?"  Even if they are "God" things I'm coveting, it is still coveting!  God deals with each person individually and does a different work with and through each person individually.  We cannot compare ourselves to others in such a way.  Just as Jesus told Peter, "Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me." (John 21:22)  Regardless of what God is or isn't doing through others, we must only concern ourselves with what we are doing for Him.  God may have called us to be like Jeremiah, rejected by every single person we speak to, persecuted and despised, and yet still expected to continue sharing what He asks us to share.  It feels good to see positive results when you reach out with God's love, but, even when we don't, we still have to push on and keep doing what God's asked of us. 

Let's take a moment to be a bit more aware of what motivates us at times and remember, "If I will that he tarry til I come, what is that to thee?  FOLLOW THOU ME."