I remember the first time I was so jealous of someone that it became envy. I was a sophomore in high school and a dear friend of mine was dating an attractive upperclassman. I was extremely envious of her and their relationship. Not only did I want what she had, I didn’t want her to have it either. I turned to God in anger and frustration and prayed, “Why does she get to date him and I don’t have anyone? She doesn’t pray the way that I do, and she doesn’t even know if she wants to be confirmed! It’s not fair, God!”
It’s embarrassing to think about how angry and self-entitled I was but those were my real feelings at the time. And sometimes, like Miriam and Aaron in Numbers 12:1-13, that jealousy of how God blesses or uses others still creeps into my mind and I forget about the many ways that God has been generous in my own life. I am quick to dismiss His presence, as if He hasn’t been providing for me my whole life.
Envy is so insidious that it makes friends enemies and family members targets for our grievances. It makes us suspicious of God, Who is the giver of all good gifts and distributes them as He deems necessary.
God does not need our permission to bless others or work mighty deeds. He’s God, and we are not!
When I begin to feel jealousy creep into the territory of envy, I turn to the story of Mary and Elizabeth in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1. Elizabeth could have been jealous that Mary was younger and conceived the Messiah after Elizabeth’s long wait for a baby. Mary could have been jealous that Elizabeth would have her son, a great prophet, first while Mary’s pregnancy involved a long journey and birthing away from home.
Instead, they both gave glory to God and believed in His plan for their lives.
When we hear or see the goodness of God in the lives of others and feel envy, let’s acknowledge and invite Our Lord into our feelings. Let’s ask Mary and Elizabeth to help us to remember our blessings and to give God glory for what He is doing in the lives of our sisters and brothers.
Give God glory. // @chikasworldClick to tweet
LOVING GOD, LOVING OTHERS
A NEW WORKSHOP
COME BACK TO FIRST LOVE
