Although I am still reflecting on wisdom re.my life, or the lack of it, I decided I really must get a bit of myself on paper lest I lose the friends who have become dear to me....those who read these words. I'm not sure all of this reflection is the best thing for a person, but chances are a lot of older people do think back on different stages of their lives and have some regrets as well as some joys.
Because I am a bible-reading person, much of my reflections become really serious when they are weighed against the bible's teachings. When I read the bible daily, there is an Old Testament reading, possibly a psalm, and a reading from the New Testament. Today the Old Testament really stood out.
Deut. 5:17 says, "You shall not murder." No, this is not a confession of an actual murder, but I did commit a sin in this circumstance, and just today have seen it for myself. The study bible that has been such a help to me, shoved this murder right out where it could be seen. The following quote is from the Life Application Study Bible, New International Version.
""But I don't murder people," you may say. Good. That fulfills the letter of the law. But Jesus explained that hateful anger breaks this commandment. Have you ever been so angry with someone who mistreated you that for a moment you wished that person were dead? Have you ever fantasized that you could do someone in? Jesus' teaching concerning this law demonstrates that we are capable of murder in our hearts. Even if we are legally innocent, we are all morally guilty of murder and need to ask God's forgiveness. We need to commit ourselves to the opposite of hatred and anger--love and reconciliation."
When this statement says, "we are all morally guilty," it is very much O.K. to exclude yourself from this diatribe if you have not carried hateful anger against someone who hurt or disappointed you. You do not have to "go right to jail." like the rest of us should be doing. We may have to do much more--- stand before God on our day of days and admit we hated so much that we are guilty of wanting to do murder.
But, I digress, the Study Bible continues, "To covet is to desire another persons' prosperity." And I have to add, not from the study bible, "or achievements." And here is what I need to examine for myself and look at the envy I feel at the successes others might achieve.
The study bible continues, "To covet is to desire another person's prosperity. We are not to set our desires on anything that belongs to someone else. Envying others is a useless exercise because God is able to provide everything we really need, even if He does not give us everything we want. Thank God for giving us what we do have and strive to be content."
And so I will thank God for any persons I know who have brought success for God and His people. Do I hear an AMEN?
After all, we all have eternal life! Who can ask for more?
Well, my morning has been spent in sadness to see that my life, once again, has been filled with sin. So much of my sinfulness has its birth in Pride, that most ugly of ducklings. In this instance, I do not speak pridefully, but rather with sadness, and not just a little shame. But in a sense, isn't shame just inverted pride? I don't know. But if it is, God will let me know!
Truly your friend if we should meet!
Sincerely, Jo
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