The statement caught me totally off-guard last night at 757. In the midst of conversation and reflecting back on small group...I simply stopped mid thought.
I wonder how many fellow Christians look at others, believers and non-believers, and are jealous of the lives they live. People who go out and enjoy (drink, smoke, etc) themselves, drive nice cars, live in beautiful homes, date casually, pleasure themselves with lovers, hold the authoritative positions at work--the list goes on and on. Looking in from the outside, one can be easily persuaded that, as a believer, they're missing out on something joyful and worth desiring. But that's the world's opinion.
As believers, we're called to be above such things. Most of the above are deliberate act of sins and disobedience of the Word of God. Drinking in excess, premarital sex, affairs, etc are clearly laid out as no-no's; but the others, they can be tricky.
Cars, homes, boats, and the such usually come with debt. Now, granted most of such debts are acceptable and reasonable but there are still people who go above and beyond, living outside of their means. Gluttonous living is just as sinful as the fleshly sins aforementioned.
Positions of authority, were they at the expense of your family and friends? Have they become your new 'god?'
These don't even touch the feelings of having 'missed out' on aspects of life. Being 27 and still a virgin...questioning if your spouse will ever come and will they have remained faithful to their purity also. And if not, curious as to how it's fair. Living as an adult, on your own, financially independent, and still not going out, indulging yourself with shopping or partying--walking into work, listening to coworkers share stories and memories merely reinforces that feeling of loneliness that sometimes sets in.
Being a born-again Christian from an early age, living a respectable life. Living a life filled with the promises of God and realizing that there's more to living than that here on the earth is satisfying in itself when you know you have the Kingdom of Heaven waiting for you. Then, it happens, someone (fill in the most despicable person you could imagine or even the sweetest individual...who lived the life you desired) comes to know Christ as they were taking their last breath. One, who knows Christ, would love to say it sucks and it's not fair or just...
In reality, it is though. Every sin that is committed comes with consequences both on earth and in death. Every sin is a burden for the sinner to carry. You know it--you've felt it after a lie, after that one night stand, after that unnecessary purchase on your credit card. Christian or not, one should never desire the life of another for we do not know the weight that comes with it.
Furthermore, every breath on earth does not compare to an eternity with Christ. An eternity that is preceded by a judgement day at which point we will all be measured and judged with the same standards. Last breath salvations or early childhood ones...we'll all be responsible for every word, every deed, and every thought followed by an eternity which we'll have time to reflect...or roast. (poor attempt at humor, I know)
I have enough of my own weight to bear, things to reflect on, gossip to confess, lust to repent...the last thing I need to be is envious of yours...the invisible weight that goes with that life of yours. I'm grateful for a God who forgives and bears that weight for me. One who shows me that what He has in store for me is paradise compared to that here on earth...or what you have. I'm going to let you live your life and you let me live mine. Every few weeks I'll remember not to want what you have and I'll remind you also.
