“You have planted them, and they have taken root and prospered. Your name is on their lips, but You are far from their hearts. But as for me, Lord, You know my heart. You see me and test my thoughts.” Jeremiah 12:2-3a
We have all felt exactly what Jeremiah was feeling: Why are the wicked so happy here on earth? How often have we asked this? How often have we questioned our Father when it seems that those that wish to defy His commands are prosperous, while we struggle so much? Life just ain’t fair! I’m sure that there have been times that you have uttered those words, as well. While it seems that many of us have to go through life on less than our total expectations of life, it only SEEMS that way.
What is happening, in that moment, is that we are forgetting to allow God to take proper control of the situation. If we go through life, without being content on what is in front of us, at the time, then we will always be disappointed. We should not be concerned about comparing our material lives with those around us that do not seek the Lord to govern their lives.
Does a large house with more rooms than needed, REALLY make your life whole? Does getting that Lexus REALLY show that you are successful? I have seen people trying to meet the “status quo”. They think that if they are “up” with the latest appliances, or driving overly fancy cars is what happiness is truly about. It’s not! Those people continue to look for the “one more”. They will never be content and they lose the true joys of life.
I’m not saying, don’t work for your dreams. The only thing that we should bear in mind is: “What are we working for?” Are we working to satisfy our appearance to others to show what we have gained or, are we showing that we are happy in the life that God wants us to live?
Remember to stop and smell the roses that are along the pathway. Here are a couple of parting verses to remember…
“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” Philippians 4:11
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” Matthew 6:5
Familiar and very true words.
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