“Comparison is the thief of joy.” ~Theodore Roosevelt
In our kitchen cupboards, we have a stack (two stacks,
actually) of brightly patterned children’s cups. They are splashed with
superheroes, Veggie Tales characters and images from the new Lego movie – plenty
of choices. And yet, at each mealtime,
almost without fail, a crisis ensues. It doesn't matter that they chose a
certain cup, once they see Star Wars in the hands of their brother….they MUST
have it. They simply cannot be happy with Snoopy anymore!
How like us they are. Oh sure, we've been groomed to not
throw a fit when things don’t go our way. Our hearts; however, are another
story. Whether it has to do with possessions, friendships, jobs, body types, spouses,
other people’s kids or even personality types , the grass always seems to be a
little bit (or a lot) greener in someone else’s yard.
Just like the kids
happily holding that Snoopy cup in their hands, I have been blessed with a
beautiful home that fits us perfectly; a thoughtful husband who (on top of all
of his other qualities) is the one person who can guide me out of the dark
places and four energetic kids who live life to the very fullest and fill my
home with laughter. And yet, somehow, when I see my friends, with their Star
Wars cups, suddenly mine seems inadequate. Surely, I’d be even happier if my
kids could recite lengthy Bible verses or if my husband took all of the kids
shopping or if we lived in the country or if I started my day with quinoa breakfasts
or…….you know how it goes. It’s silly, of course, but it comes so easily.
And what do we do to balance out our “inadequacies”?
We judge. We tell ourselves (and often others) all of the ways that we are
great. We say, “Well, at least I don’t….”. “But did you notice the way she…..?”.
“But my kids can……”.
What does the Bible have say about this?
“Do nothing from
selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than
yourselves.” ~ Philippians 2:3
“Let the one who
boasts, boast in the Lord.” ~2 Corinthians 10:17
We live in a culture so desperate to feel good about
ourselves. To fill the emptiness of our hearts with nice vehicles, the
admiration of our peers, the highest incomes, the smartest kids and so on, but
here’s the thing: As believers, our
hearts are not empty. There is no void. There is Christ!
The one thing, the only thing, the GREATEST thing that we
have to boast in is Christ!
So why are we living as if any or all of this other stuff
is so desperately important?
I believe that God
created us for His glory and pleasure. And
how do we bring him joy?
By delighting in
Him. (Psalm 37:4)
By seeing His hand
everywhere. (Romans 11:33-36)
By reflecting His greatness in our families and
relationships. (Matt. 5:16)
By capturing our wayward thoughts. (2 Cor. 10:5)
By building one another up. (1 Thess. 5:11)
And by holding on, today, to that Snoopy cup and drinking
deeply of this moment, this breath this gift that we've been given.
Let’s stop worrying so much about the things we have or
don’t have and instead boast in our greatest possession – Christ!
Then, and only then, will we find true joy.
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