Race you to the bottom!
Posted in Brett's Posts, jealousy 1 comments
A couple years back on the 4th of July, a group of us went to see the fireworks in Columbia. We watched them on a parking garage and had parked near the top. After the show, we see the nice long line of cars trying to get out, and we were about to join them. Then we thought, "everyone is trying to get out, and no one is trying to get in..." So Jeff (the driver) goes down the entrance ramp (yes, the wrong way) and we were out of there in about 5mins instead of 30.
True, this was not quite legal and it would have been right for us to get a ticket, but we were not caught or stopped. We simply looked at the line of cars and scowling faces as we quickly reached the bottom. This is when I noticed it. While everyone disapproved of what we did, at the same time, every single one of them was jealous. Can you remember a time when you were jealous of someone doing something wrong, or have ever thought: "They always get away with it" or even "Doing the right thing has never gotten me anything." You are not alone.
It isn't constantly on my mind, but the question lingers in the back of my mind...kind of like that girl you know that wears too much perfume and you still smell it an hour after she's gone. Why is it that "bad people" seem to always get away with it? Tough question, not easily answered. The most encouragement I get is from Psalm 73, which shows one man's struggle with this question. A solution, look past the moment and at the big picture, their seeming prosperity is at best temporary.
To those who feel the temptation to envy those who do wrong, check out Psalm 37 (not verse 4): "Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away."(v.1-2)
To those that are not, wait awhile and remember: "if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you do not fall." 1 Corinthians 10:12
Again this is a tough question and I haven't even scratched the surface of it. However, it is good to struggle through these thoughts. Next post will ask, Is it worth it?
Brett
True, this was not quite legal and it would have been right for us to get a ticket, but we were not caught or stopped. We simply looked at the line of cars and scowling faces as we quickly reached the bottom. This is when I noticed it. While everyone disapproved of what we did, at the same time, every single one of them was jealous. Can you remember a time when you were jealous of someone doing something wrong, or have ever thought: "They always get away with it" or even "Doing the right thing has never gotten me anything." You are not alone.
It isn't constantly on my mind, but the question lingers in the back of my mind...kind of like that girl you know that wears too much perfume and you still smell it an hour after she's gone. Why is it that "bad people" seem to always get away with it? Tough question, not easily answered. The most encouragement I get is from Psalm 73, which shows one man's struggle with this question. A solution, look past the moment and at the big picture, their seeming prosperity is at best temporary.
To those who feel the temptation to envy those who do wrong, check out Psalm 37 (not verse 4): "Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away."(v.1-2)
To those that are not, wait awhile and remember: "if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you do not fall." 1 Corinthians 10:12
Again this is a tough question and I haven't even scratched the surface of it. However, it is good to struggle through these thoughts. Next post will ask, Is it worth it?
Brett
1 comments:
I think I would have punched you in the face for doing that...thus drawing outward my jealousy towards you and your friends and possibly leading to an assault charge that would lead me to jail.
All in all...congrats on no head on collisions...I'm quite jealous of you
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