I’m sure most of you are familiar with the concepts of “the grass is always greener on the other side,” and “keeping up with the Joneses.” We generally label individuals who live by these concepts as unfulfilled and misguided. Yet, could it be that the grass is greener on the other side and that keeping up with the Joneses is actually an ideal concept? Strange as it may seem, I’ve come to believe that these are two statements we should embrace and live by. That is, if we have the right perspective.
You see, if the “greener grass” that we are focusing on covers the hills that the redeemed will walk upon in glory, then yes, the grass is in fact greener on the other side. But, if our eyes are focused on the “greener grass” of someone else’s relationship, someone else’s career, someone else’s lifestyle, then we’ve fallen prey to a classic trick of the enemy.
The same principle can be applied to “keeping up with the Joneses.” If our focus is on the “Joneses” of this earth, we’ve got it all wrong. However, if the “Joneses” we choose to focus on are represented by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, it is in our best interest to keep up with the Joneses.
It’s all about perspective. When you have a God perspective your focus is much different than individuals who maintain a human perspective. A God perspective doesn’t waste time focusing on what’s going on in the lives of others or attempting to pattern them. A God perspective doesn’t cause us to feel we are not adequate based upon our perception of others. Nor, does a God perspective influence us to abandon what He’s given us in search of something better. That’s not God.
When we learn to keep our eyes focused on God we will begin to rejoice at the accomplishments of others. We will also seek God and His wisdom in an effort to change ourselves so that our own situations can improve. Why do we do this? It’s simple, we do it because we’ve come to understand that God’s grass is greener and that keeping up with the Joneses, aka the God head is quite alright.
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11
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