What Do You Lack?

Our next practice is a doozy for most of us, and if you’ve got this one all figured out, then….I’m envious:)

“Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.” (Galatians 5:26)

This reminds me a lot of Psalm 23’s bold proclamation: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack no good thing.”

Envy is ultimately a reaction to “lacking something.” When I envy someone or something, I am living out the reality that God doesn’t know what is best for me. I am basically saying, “God I don’t trust you,” or “God, you are not trustworthy with my desires and wants.”

I’ve used this illustration before, but it’s a real deal for me. We’ve had the same 2 cars for 13 years now (which already, I am pausing for a moment of gratitude for the fact that I can even say that we have 2 working cars), and I am definitely jonesing for a new car for Hil and for myself. There are plenty of good and practical reasons for wanting these newer cars. The wanting isn’t the issue here. It’s when my wanting seeds the reaction of envy and ultimately that God hasn’t been trustworthy to give me what I believe that I deserve. Wow that just came out of my mouth!

So... where, when, or with whom do you struggle with envy? What if Jesus’ promise to meet our every need was actually true?

10000minutes Practice:

Go ahead and ask Jesus for what you want, and leave the outcome to Him. Then, thank Him for what you have!

Oh friends, this has been such an amazing practice for me, especially the second half. Honestly, and I am showing my vanity here, I have to practice these prayers a few times a week. But, I will say that my heart is changing in the process. I am practicing Trust, not Envy. Ok, what’s your deal? Practice this with me this week!