“You’re the best Grandpa ever!”
Thus saith my eldest granddaughter. (Doesn’t King James English make it sound more authoritative?)
I have long suspected that, of all the grandpas in the world, I am one of them.
Not only that, I’ve been pretty sure that I rank right up there at the top of the list.
But it must be objectively true since it has been spoken aloud by the most spectacular seven-year-old on the third rock from the sun.
Some might suggest that there is some bias involved both on her part and mine. But let me ask this—does the existence of bias change the truth?
There you go.
I am, of course, being a bit facetious with this but I’m (hopefully) going to make a point.
One of the things that will really mess up our lives is envy.
Well, that seemed like a hard turn with no warning!
Stick with me for a bit.
This morning I read Psalm 73. It begins this way:
“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”
The writer of this Psalm was an Israeli writing what would become a part of the Hebrew scriptures, so that explains the reference to Israel.
He recognizes the goodness and providence of God and connects that goodness to purity of heart.
But then he admits that he almost fell into one of life’s most common traps—envy.
He saw that it was not only the pure in heart that experienced prosperity; the arrogant and wicked also prospered—oftentimes more than the righteous.
Could it possibly be that purity of heart and righteousness does not matter?
Could it possibly be that what someone else has gained is worth my own pursuit even if I have to compromise my integrity to do so?
Few hazards on life’s journey are as slippery as envy. It’s so easy to lose an eternal perspective when we get too focused on temporary advancement.
If I fail to recognize the goodness and providence of God in what I already have, I can easily be tempted to make radical changes.
Maybe I need a different house, a different car, or a different job. None of those pursuits are bad, by the way, unless I think those things will bring me happiness and contentment.
How about a different family?
What?
Once the “pursuit of happiness” becomes our driving compulsion, where does it stop?
The grass is always greener somewhere else.
I have a theory about why my granddaughter thinks I’m the best Grandpa ever. I think it’s because I’m HER Grandpa and she knows that my love and protection are hers as long as I live.
(I have three more grands that have my heart just as much. She’s just the one I’m quoting today).
Here’s an amazing truth: God loves His kids exponentially more than I am even capable of loving.
If you want to keep your feet from slipping on this amazing journey, don’t ever forget that.
Be amazing today, my friend.
