On Envy

              Just a little food for weekend thought:

      Mighty convicting words on envy by the 17th century English author and clergyman, William Gurnall:
      "Envy is an affront to the character and person of God.  When you envy, you are questioning God's right to administer His gifts as He sees best.  You are also maligning the goodness of God.  You are angry that God wants to bless someone besides you.  Would you not have God be good?  You might as well say you would not have Him be God, for He can no more cease to be good than He can cease to be God!  When your envy prods you to belittle the gifts of other Christians, you are really belittling God who gave them."
      Isn't it funny how easily we can fall prey to envy?  Goodness, I can find myself envying other people's dogs on the greenway, because they don't do somersaults and yank their owner's shoulder out of joint every time another dog comes along.  Imagine that.  Bingley, are you listening?  But when you start envying the greenway behavior of other folks' dogs, well, I think you've reached a new low.  So I'm repenting of that one right now!
      What's the antidote for envy (in addition to repentance)?  Gratitude.  Thanksgiving.  Focusing upon God's extravagant and undeserved goodness and grace in your life.  Thanking Him for the blessings He's given rather than whining about those He's chosen, in His sovereign wisdom,  to withhold.
     As the Psalmist says, "The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; You hold my lot.  The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance." (Ps.16:5-6)
     Whatever our lot in life, God has chosen it, and He makes no mistakes.  Perhaps the boundary lines differ from what we, in our limited vision, assumed would be best, but if He's established those boundaries, then they will fall in ultimately good, satisfying, and pleasing places.
     The bottom line?  We've got to stop resenting where God has placed the boundary lines for others and instead rejoice in wherever He's placed them for us.  Because it's all, all, all by grace.  His infinite, irrepressible, amazing grace.
     So Mr. Bingley may struggle a bit in the overzealous greeting of other dogs on the greenway department, but he's got a corner on the market of snuggling and sweetness--

        Father, forgive us when we envy, for not only is that the height of ingratitude and selfishness, but it is maligning Your very goodness.   Keep us focused upon You.  Keep us thankful.  For "in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Ps.16:11).  Yes, indeed, all of Your children have a truly "beautiful inheritance!"
       To God be the glory.