With the abundant moisture that we’ve received this Spring my grass is green. Very green. So is everybody else's. Of course, green grass is a thing of beauty. Lush, green grass is so inviting. Once it’s been cut, that is! And a nice, well-trimmed, green lawn greatly adds to the curb appeal of any house. Unfortunately, as Spring gives way to summer, many lawns will begin to lose their ‘greenness’. In fact, in a dry summer, the grass in lawns that are not watered will turn brown. That grass will be ugly. But at least it won’t have to be mowed!
There is a proverb in our culture about green grass. I’m sure you’ve heard it before. It goes like this - “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” By this it is meant that we tend to think that others have it better than we do. Have you ever felt this way? I have at times. I look with envy at others who are better looking. Or who have a bigger house. Or get to take vacations in Hawaii. Or who are able to take their grandchildren to Disneyland. Or I might envy other pastors whose churches are bigger. Or who are great preachers. Or who are more popular. I’m sure you have felt this way at times as well. Someone else’s life looks much better than your own. They have a prettier/handsomer spouse. Or a smarter one. Or a more understanding one. Or they have a better job. Or more money. Less stress. More time off. Or their children are smarter. Or more athletic. Or cuter. The truth is that there is always someone who seems to have it better than we do. And on days when we are discouraged, it seems like everyone has it better than we do! There is no doubt that the grass is a lot greener on their side of the fence than it is in ours! But is this really the case? The answer is no.
We are unaware that the person with the drop-dead good looks is absolutely paranoid about losing them. That they stress over every new wrinkle or blemish. We don’t realize that their good-looking or fun-loving spouse is self-centered. Or is cheating on them behind their back. We don’t understand that while they make more money than we do, the demands of their job are a lot greater than ours. We don’t know about all the back-stabbing or the problems with employees they have to deal with. We have no way of knowing that they have multiple credit cards that are maxed out. That creditors are hounding them constantly. That they are on the verge of bankruptcy. We are unaware that arthritis, a bad back, and insomnia are a way of life for them. Nor are we aware of all the arguments, the name-calling, the coldness that is present in their marriage. No, we don’t see any of these things from our vantage point. If we did we would no longer envy them. We might even pity them. The truth is that sometimes, underneath all the trappings of success, there are some pretty desperate and pathetic lives.
What does the Bible have to say about ‘greener grass’? Nothing specifically. But it does talk about the danger of envy. And the benefits of contentment. This is what it all comes down to, doesn’t it? We are discontent with what we have because we perceive that someone else has it better. Maybe they do. Chances are they don’t. And even if they do have it ‘better’ than we do (and this would only be in some areas) what is that to us? Why can’t we just enjoy what we have right in front of us? What God has lovingly and wisely provided for us? When we look at it that way it puts things in perspective doesn’t it?
Yes, some people have it better than we do. But there are many, many more who are much worse off than we are. People who are starving. People who have no freedom. People who are divorced. People who have all kinds of pain. Or disabilities. People who live in oppressive or abusive situations. Compared to them, we have it easy! So let’s not give in to the lie of ‘greener’ grass. Let’s learn to be thankful for what we have. Chances are that our grass is just as green as the next person’s. Besides, if our grass is green, doesn’t that say something? It shows that God is blessing us. So why don’t we just sit back and enjoy it. Perhaps a little lawn party is in order!
Lord, there are times when I envy the lives of others. They seem to have things that I don’t. Or they seem to have less troubles and heartaches than I do. The reality is that I could be much worse off than I am. Help me to be content with my life. And thankful. To know that it all comes from Your loving hand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
We are unaware that the person with the drop-dead good looks is absolutely paranoid about losing them. That they stress over every new wrinkle or blemish. We don’t realize that their good-looking or fun-loving spouse is self-centered. Or is cheating on them behind their back. We don’t understand that while they make more money than we do, the demands of their job are a lot greater than ours. We don’t know about all the back-stabbing or the problems with employees they have to deal with. We have no way of knowing that they have multiple credit cards that are maxed out. That creditors are hounding them constantly. That they are on the verge of bankruptcy. We are unaware that arthritis, a bad back, and insomnia are a way of life for them. Nor are we aware of all the arguments, the name-calling, the coldness that is present in their marriage. No, we don’t see any of these things from our vantage point. If we did we would no longer envy them. We might even pity them. The truth is that sometimes, underneath all the trappings of success, there are some pretty desperate and pathetic lives.
What does the Bible have to say about ‘greener grass’? Nothing specifically. But it does talk about the danger of envy. And the benefits of contentment. This is what it all comes down to, doesn’t it? We are discontent with what we have because we perceive that someone else has it better. Maybe they do. Chances are they don’t. And even if they do have it ‘better’ than we do (and this would only be in some areas) what is that to us? Why can’t we just enjoy what we have right in front of us? What God has lovingly and wisely provided for us? When we look at it that way it puts things in perspective doesn’t it?
Yes, some people have it better than we do. But there are many, many more who are much worse off than we are. People who are starving. People who have no freedom. People who are divorced. People who have all kinds of pain. Or disabilities. People who live in oppressive or abusive situations. Compared to them, we have it easy! So let’s not give in to the lie of ‘greener’ grass. Let’s learn to be thankful for what we have. Chances are that our grass is just as green as the next person’s. Besides, if our grass is green, doesn’t that say something? It shows that God is blessing us. So why don’t we just sit back and enjoy it. Perhaps a little lawn party is in order!
Lord, there are times when I envy the lives of others. They seem to have things that I don’t. Or they seem to have less troubles and heartaches than I do. The reality is that I could be much worse off than I am. Help me to be content with my life. And thankful. To know that it all comes from Your loving hand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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