Life Event Vs. Life Eternal: When Facebook Starts A Fire

I was tired.  After driving from one client to the next, cleaning dishes, scrubbing toilets, sweeping floors, talking loudly, bathing, dressing, and leading clients through their exercise routine, getting my own squats in for the day?  I just wanted to unwind.  With a click of the mouse and a few keystrokes later, my Facebook newsfeed appeared on my computer screen. 

And there it was.  What was this, the seventh in a span of two weeks?  So and so is now engaged to so and so.  Smiling faces, glittering ring, dozens upon dozens of congratulatory comments.  I smiled wide.  I ‘liked’ it, as a joyous squeal pierced the air.

Scroll down.  Try to ignore the little claws of discontent and envy poking and prodding at my heart.  Breathe.

I smile as the photo ascends into view.  Their thankful and excited hands are resting lightly on her swollen abdomen, announcing their new bundle of joy to be.  Another unintelligible, yet jubilant sound emerged.  That’s so exciting! I thought, as I made my prayers and congratulations known. 

Scroll down.  Try to ignore that the pokes and prods are growing in intensity.  Breathe.

She got into graduate school.

He’s moving to another state for a job he’d always wanted.

She’s going on a 11 month mission trip around the world.

He’s going to seminary.

They got a dog.

I scrolled. I liked. I smiled. 

I swelled with happiness.  But those pokes kept at it, trying to deflate me.

I listened to the ridiculous lie that in order to be happy, and for others to be happy with me, I needed a new life event.  I listened to the voice that said “You’re alone and going nowhere.”  I felt stuck.  Suffocated. 

Have you ever been here?  That place where comparison and envy sucks the joy right out of your heart, the air right out of your lungs?  I bet you have.  It may not look exactly like this; your place might look different.  But ultimately, at one point or another, we all have compared our lives with those around us.

I’ve learned this lesson before.  He’s revealed Truth on this matter to me prior to this particular instance.  But, recently, the Lord has been pressing it more firmly on my silly heart.  So now, as I sit here in the dark, by candlelight, I see it clearly.

Where you set your gaze determines the type of blaze.  How do you want your heart to burn?  If you set your sight on those around you, where lingering sin still dwells, a fire of envy sparks and starts to grow wild.  If you pay it no mind, it will start burning away your awareness of God’s grace. If you set your sight on Christ, in whom there is no sin (1 John 3:5), a zealous fire burns in your heart for Jesus.  This is the type of fire you want to attend to, to fan into flame (2 Timothy 1:6).  For it illuminates the eyes of your heart to see God’s grace is really everywhere.

And then I hear it.  It’s almost a whisper.  I almost miss it. 

It’s not about a life event; it’s about life eternal. 

I could look around at others and want what they have, growing discontent and lonely.  Or I can look to the cross and see that my perfect Savior laid down His life to bring me out of darkness into His Light, growing content in Him and realizing I’m never alone.  I can believe the lie that I need a dream job, a new car, or a man and family to be filled with joy.  Or I can remember the Truth.  That only in Jesus is there complete, unwavering joy.  True soul satisfaction is found not in what Christ gives, but in who He is.

And if I already have a relationship with Jesus?  If I already am forgiven for my sins, made alive with Christ, promised eternity with Him in Heaven, and blessed with His presence and help on a daily basis?  I have all I need.  And when you have what you need?  Your eyes open wide to gracious blessings.  You begin to see the little joys and accept His gifts, with thanksgiving and laughter. 

And when you realize you have more than you need, Jesus helps you give to others.  Whether it’s time, encouraging words, material needs, service, money, or prayer – all of it are gifts from God that are meant to be shared. Oh, and in the hard, the seemingly lonely, the tiring days?  You can lean on the promise that you are a child of the King of Kings.  And really, what more could you want?

"Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content." ~ 1 Timothy 6:6-8

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"~ Hebrews 13:5

"And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'" ~ Luke 12:15