Love is NOT Envy

Written By Wesley Wood

Welcome To REUNION

We are glad that you are here. We hope that you feel save, welcomed and relaxed. We are going to read the Bible, pray, sing a few songs and listen to a short Lead In. We might even have discussions But.. you’re invited to participate as much as you want. No expects you to speak or share. We do invite you to remain present. We believe that remaining present - even in our minds - is an act of love.

Lead In Notes

Created in the Image of God:

  • We were created to be in likeness of God in how we experience and engage relationships (and much more). In this God centred relationship our image, identity, value, purpose etc comes from God.

    • Idolatry: the worship of someone or something other than God as though it were God.

      • aka: Something/Someone takes on the role of God in our lives. Instead of God being our source of identity, value, image etc - someone/something else becomes it.

  • Idols cannot live up to the expectations or purpose God was meant to fulfill.

    • so when others get what we NEED to make us feel valued, loved, complete (loved - identity) we ENVY

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous/envious

ENVY: a feeling of (internal) discontented or (external) resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck.

  • Envy begins as internal discontent:

    • what I have is no longer good enough to sustain my identity, add value, purpose, connection, praise, worth to my life.

      • I hate this, it’s old, it’s no good - not because it is but because of how it affects our image/identity.

  • Envy devolves into external resentment

    • You have what I want and you don’t deserve it, haven’t earned it, should never have.

      • Envy can quickly manifest as slander or gossip ( See Matthew 5 & 1 Peter 2)

        • Slander is our only way of leveling the playing field.

HOW DO WE STOP OR PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING?

Growth Opportunity:

  • Put/Keep God on Top: Who does God say you are? Do you believe God?

    • Start your day with 2mins of breath prayers:

      • Inhale while thinking the first part of the statement

      • Exhale while thinking the second part of the statement

        • You are the Potter. I am the Clay. – from Isaiah 64:8

        • You satisfy me with good things - From 103:1-5 

        • I am yours and I am loved

        • You chose me, I’m enough

    • Follow Breath Prayer with Two Minutes to listen to God’s response

      • At fist your mind will interrupt because we often do not give ourselves much space to listen to our bodies/minds. Do not shut your thoughts down. Allow yourself space to speak, your mind to run wild.

      • In time you’ll have less to say and more time to listen: what do you sense, feel, react to? What might God be saying to you in the noise of your mind or the silence of the moment?

    • Evening Reflections of Thanksgiving

      • take two mins with others in your home or with a journal to reflect on what in your life/day you are thankful for.

      • Living content takes us out of the competition and back into a state of celebration for the people around us.

Check out this link https://howrichami.givingwhatwecan.org/how-rich-am-i

  • Finally share you desires with God

    • many Christians struggle to share their honest needs/wants/desires with God because we’ve been taught or they feel not worthy. God has more important things to do. hmmm.

Jesus said: 7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. (Matthew 7)

  • Sure, our priorities change when we are living out of a content state. BUT if we’re thankful, connected and sourced by God ASK AWAY! Share your heart with God and see what happens!

Love does not envy: Love is not competitive, living with inner discontent and outer resentment. Love is content and able to celebrate what others have.

Wesley Wood https://www.reunionbelleville.com
Previous

Love does not Boast
Next

Love is Kind