“But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other cheek.” “You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” Luke 6:27-28, 36
It can happen before you even realize it, and when you trace your steps back, you end up in a place you never knew really existed. It is a place if not tended to can lead to an even greater hate within you, a hate that you never thought possible. It is a place we have all been, stayed, and for some, passed through making only a pit stop. It is a place called jealousy that lies within each of us.
It takes root through our insecurities, lack of attention, and too much self. It has existed from the beginning.
Satan was jealous in heaven, thus being kicked out, he was then jealous of Eve in the garden, thus tempting her.
Then we have Cain who became jealous of his own brother Abel because God found favor in his sacrifice, thus Cain killing Abel.
Miriam became jealous of Moses because she wanted to be just as important as Moses was and in the decision making.
Saul became jealous of David because of the attention David received and because the Lord was with him. Therefore Saul set out to kill David.
Then we have the Pharisees and Sadducees who were jealous of Jesus, thus putting our Savior upon the cross.
And us, we are people of jealousy whether we want to admit it or not, and when we make the decision to act on our jealous feelings, enemies are created.
I believe we have to overcome the “me”, we have to keep our eyes on the cross, on the things that are above, fill our hearts with God’s word, and fall madly in love with Christ. Because when we are in love with Him there is no room for jealousy. And the most important thing is to remember we are all created in the image of God, we are here for His purpose, and as long as we have Christ as our Lord and Savior we have nothing to be jealous of.
Just to remember to keep on driving, don’t stop to fuel up, don’t stop to chat, just keep on driving! (think about that comment for a few minutes)
Prayer: Lord help us to set our eyes on the things that matter and that is You and the lives of those who are lost. May we overcome our jealousies and begin to work together as one body. Amen
