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THE GRASS IS ALWAYS
GREENER...
ON THE OTHER
SIDE OF THE FENCE: Isn't that what we say? Why do we gaze longingly
at everyone's circumstances but our own? Students long for a job.
Working adults can't wait to retire. Singles want to be married. Married
people miss the freedom of their single days. And on and on it goes.
Paul warns Timothy about pursuing wealth, reminding him that,"...having
food and
clothing, with these we shall be content" (1 Tim. 6:8). While we
must be cautious about such inordinate pursuits, we are often distracted
by legitimate wishes and dreams. These hopes are a natural part of
life--helping us to make progress and bringing light to dreary days.
There is a great temptation, however, to spend too much time
wishing for another life that we don't take advantage of the one we
have. Paul said, "...for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be
content" (Phil. 4:11). That's hard. But if Paul could say
that while chained in prison, surely we can find some contentment within
our own
circumstances. When the grass next door is mesmerizing you, these
suggestions may help.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS: James says, "Every good gift and
every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of
lights..." (1:17). Have you considered His gifts to you lately? Put
pencil to paper and list your blessings. Start with your salvation, the
greatest gift of all. If you are married, thank the Lord that you have
someone to come home to at night. If you're working, be grateful for
your paycheck and abilities. How about a good congregation with which to
worship, your parents, your siblings, your children, your friends? Thank
Him for simple things--like puppy dogs, Coca Cola, music, tennis shoes,
warm chocolate chip cookies, and laughter. Consider your blessings. It's
hard to feel cheated in life when you see what God has done for you.
Then bow your head and thank Him regularly.
GET BUSY: Growing up, whenever I was out of sorts, Daddy
would say, "You need to go do something for somebody." He was right (as
usual). Service gets you out of yourself, and is a criterion by which we
will be judged (Matt. 25:31-36). Paul reminds us, "...as we
have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of
the household of faith" (Gal. 6:9,10). The key is to acknowledge our
opportunities. We all have them. Invite someone to services. Help with a
children's Bible class. Hold the door for someone. Say thank you. Mail a
card. Take a minute to talk to an elderly saint. Look for simple ways to
serve. It will glorify God (Matt. 5:16) and make your life worth
living.
ASK: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God..." (Phil. 4:6).
What a blessing to approach the Creator with our desires! "With God,
all things are possible" (Matt. 19:26), and yet we sometimes neglect
to ask the One with the power to change our lives. It's not that God
doesn't know our needs. He knows even before we ask (Matt. 6:8).
Prayer is our acknowledgement of His power, and recognition of our
dependence on Him. God answers prayer. Consider Hannah and Sarah who
were granted children in their barrenness, and Cornelius who received
the gospel message.
Of course, when we ask in faith, we also understand that our
request may not be God's will for us. Paul asked three times that his
thorn in the flesh be removed, but God's answer was, "My grace is
sufficient for you" (2 Cor. 12:7-10). Sometimes, God's answer is
"not yet." Jesus related the parable of the woman and the judge in
Lk. 18 to explain that "men always ought to pray and not lose
heart" (vs. 1). In the parable, the judge finally grants the widow's
request because she just would not give up. Jesus' point? "And shall
God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He
bears long with them?" (vs. 7). God takes note of persistence, and
if it is His will, His blessings will come at the right time. Ask Him
fervently and often for the needs in your life. He will hear.
An old English proverb states, "You must plough with such oxen as
you have." It's
true. Our circumstances in life may not be what we had hoped for, and it
is easy to look around and long for something different. But come
Judgment Day, the Lord will require an account of how I used my talent,
my time, my opportunities...not the ones I wish I had. We must count our
blessings, bring our requests to God, and get our oxen moving. Instead
of constantly looking for the greener grass. I'd better be sure I'm
tending my own backyard.
---- Denise Bowman in
Biblical Insights, Vol. 7,
No. 3, March 2007.
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