The Eyes that Bind
Jesus in the parable of the soils describes the third soil as people who let "the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. Mark 4:19 ESV
Look at those two words: "enter in". These desires where not there beforehand. This is striking.
How do we let the cares of this world in? How about the deceitfulness of riches? Or the desires for other things? How do they get in there?
I think it has a lot to do with our eyes. They lead us into envy and covetousness. We see what another has and we want it.
It's about awareness.
We go to their home and see their cathedral ceilings. We didn't care about cathedral ceilings before, now we want them. We invite them over and see their luxury car. We hear of something they use that makes their life more powerful or easier. And once aware, we start to care. We desire something that formerly we couldn't have cared less about. But now that we have seen it, our lives feel incomplete until we "get it."
It's amazing how fast someone else's life can create idols on our own. Our eyes see and our heart drifts. And we are the ones who pay the price. We are the ones who rob ourselves of the fruitfulness God has for us.
Don't let it in. You can be glad someone else has what you don't have. I know it seems impossible, but it's not.
Rejoice with those who rejoice! They may have stuff you want but I bet they've gone through some stuff you're glad you missed. Everyone has their own story. Live yours and be happy.
PRAYER:
Father, help me to live my life. That's what you want from me. I don't want my potential in your kingdom stifled by my own shortsighted vision. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Look at those two words: "enter in". These desires where not there beforehand. This is striking.
How do we let the cares of this world in? How about the deceitfulness of riches? Or the desires for other things? How do they get in there?
I think it has a lot to do with our eyes. They lead us into envy and covetousness. We see what another has and we want it.
It's about awareness.
We go to their home and see their cathedral ceilings. We didn't care about cathedral ceilings before, now we want them. We invite them over and see their luxury car. We hear of something they use that makes their life more powerful or easier. And once aware, we start to care. We desire something that formerly we couldn't have cared less about. But now that we have seen it, our lives feel incomplete until we "get it."
It's amazing how fast someone else's life can create idols on our own. Our eyes see and our heart drifts. And we are the ones who pay the price. We are the ones who rob ourselves of the fruitfulness God has for us.
Don't let it in. You can be glad someone else has what you don't have. I know it seems impossible, but it's not.
Rejoice with those who rejoice! They may have stuff you want but I bet they've gone through some stuff you're glad you missed. Everyone has their own story. Live yours and be happy.
PRAYER:
Father, help me to live my life. That's what you want from me. I don't want my potential in your kingdom stifled by my own shortsighted vision. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
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