Killing Envy

I mentioned the other day some thoughts and perspectives on corruption and people in power. And around the same time, perhaps in a different conversation if I recall, the question was posed, if you could narrow the 10 commandments down to one, what would it be?

Yes, I know... they've already been reduced to two. Love God and love people. And that's hard enough some times, both with God and people! But what's the one?

And the answer might surprise you. Because if you pick wisely, you just might resolve, or eliminate the need for the rest. As in you find yourself in a good position with both God and man.

Envy.

Thou shalt not envy.

Well, if you are going to go there, why not make it jealousy? Because jealousy only addresses my frustration that you have something I don't. Envy addresses the fact that because I don't have it, neither should you. And that is a deeper seeded issue.

Think about it... if it's possessions, one could be prone to theft. If it's a relationship, then adultery. If it's one's entire life, then murder. If one lacks contentment regarding the state of another, how can they respect them? Such discontentment then causes a spiritual rift in between them and God and thus, they don't love and obey Him as they should. And the floodgate is open for all kinds of wrong thoughts, attitudes and behaviors. All because the position and status of our neighbor distracts and disrupts the healthy and realistic perspective we should have regarding our own, who we are and who God created us to be.

Enter so many people taking a hiatus from social media and disengaging to varying degrees or even altogether.

Envy kills community.

It certainly causes the beginning of the end with much decay and dissolution along the way. This is not how God made us to be, nor intended us to regard each other, nor Himself, for that matter.

And we do. So often. So easily. So recklessly.

God, help us, this #communitySaturday! Pray that envy would find no room in hearts and minds, that we would look upon your blessings and your creation with such discontent that nobody should enjoy this life. Pray our focus would truly be upon knowing Your love and grace and sharing and extending it to those around us; even those with whom we disagree and digress of life, conversation and events of all kinds. May our attitudes and actions reflect Christ in all we do, whether in the comfort of our home or the sometimes uncomfortable engagement of community.

That our lives would glorify God
As we interact with His creation.
For our lives are not our own.
Neither is this world our home.
For the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC