On a particular street in Downtown there is a row of Mansions, one of which looks like it was made in the Civil War era. Nerd! I know, but I love old homes. Directly across the road from these beautiful houses there are smaller normal homes. As I was driving through, I thought how easy it would be for the people living in the “normal” homes to become so envious of the mansions. The normal houses were simply that, normal, but compared to across the street they looked smaller and insufficient.
Often times in life we can feel the same – small and insufficient compared to others around us. When we look at whoever is across the hall, next door, down the road, or on any social media platform, we can easily get caught up in comparing their “mansion” to our “humble home.” Now I don’t mean just comparing buildings, but lives, talents, jobs, or anything that we think assigns our value. The servants who were given different talents in Matthew 25:14-30 could have fallen into this same way of thought. One was given five, another two, and another one, but they did not compare who was better based on what the Master gave them. The passage actually says that they were given the amount based on their ability.
Each one of us has been made in the image of God and He specifically designed us for a purpose in His vast plan for this world. The mansion across the street may be more beautiful on the outside, but if there is fighting and screaming all the time in it, the beauty will seem hideous to those who live in there. Whereas if the normal small homes are filled with love and peace those who live in the big house will actually be envious of the smaller homes.
My friends don’t get caught up in who has the most and the best, but rather seek to be your best for the Lord remembering who we are actually living for. Proverbs says better is a meager dinner with love then a feast with anger. *** Do not be deceived by the outward appearance. Keep your eyes on God and be content with where He has you, because He has you here for a reason. As we approach Christmas and we see people’s lives that look picture perfect, or we see all the gifts that others receive, just be thankful for what God has given you, and again may I encourage you to be content in all things.
Alignment is on sale! So get a copy for your friend or loved one this Christmas!
P.S. If you know others who are not content in their season of singleness, may I recommend sending them my book First and Forever: Singleness in Ephesians. It will guide them to in inner peace and focus that will help them in their times of feeling alone, especially in this holiday season. Check it out on hagelbooks.com!