"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 shall be
content(Timothy 6:6-8)
It's not often that a fortune cookie has a 1-1 correspondence
with the gospel, but I found one while eating at a restaraunt a
month ago. It said, "Do not try to be like others, and you will be
happy."
Sitting by myself in a family restaraunt while my brother sat
with his girlfriend, the quote inspired me. Unlike me, my brother
found a girlfriend in highschool. They had been together for about a
year, I think, so they wanted to `celebrate their anniversary' at a
Chinese restaraunt.
It's easy for me to be envious of my brother. My dad approves of
their relationship. They're always kissing and hugging eachother and
they always sit in my brother's room with the door shut.
Things are different for me. My dad always insinuates that I'm a
homosexual because I don't have a girlfriend. For awhile, I wished I
had my brother's girlfriend. That was, until, I discovered both she
and my brother have OCD. You can call it `sour grapes,' but I like
girls who aren't so finnichy about what you set in front of them at
the dinner table.
I also envied the people on television because everyone knew
them and they got paid a lot. But then I saw a newscaster at a
bowling alley(we were doing something called `Strikes For The
Homeless') and he looked dead tired, probably from having to host
other events just like it. He also has to wear a suit(almost a
tuxedo), even in hot weather. I'm glad I don't have a job like that.
You really can be happier when you're content with yourself and
what you have. Don't take the fortune cookie's word for it. It's
right in 1 Timothy. There is a great gain in godliness with
contentment. Think about this verse when you envy someone.
Being yourself is easy. When you work hard to be exactly like
someone else, you'll never be happy with yourself, and people will
see through the charade. We should only try to be like one person.
Jesus. But, of course, Matthew 10:24-25 says, "A disciple is not
above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; It is enough for
the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his
master."
Dear Father in heaven, it's easy for me to be jealous of other
people who seem to have a better life or more money, or something
else that makes them seem better than me. But you have also blessed
me with many things that I take for granted. You have made me
special and unique, and you provide for my every need. Lord, teach
me to be content with who I am and what I have.
I pray Lord, please show us how to obey and to serve you
better every day. And help us to be content whatever the
circumstances. For we know you will never forsake us and
lead us into temptation, but into contentment through our
faith in You. Amen!