Envy- a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck.
Life is tricky. Sometimes we get tangled up in how we think life should be. We place high standards on a very specific and non-negotiable timeline. When those things don't play out how we think they should, we panic and think we are behind or we are missing something. In high school, I thought I needed a boyfriend in the 7th grade because all of my friends and peers were starting to date. So when it didn't work out and I got my first heart break, I automatically thought something was wrong with me because everyone else seemed to have a steady relationship. By the time I was a senior, I thought I needed my whole life mapped out and needed to know exactly what I was going to do for the rest of my life. So when I was in my junior year of college and on track to graduate early, I was devastated when I realized I was in the wrong major and needed to change halfway through my college career.
It's easy to let envy creep into your life and not even know it. It may not reveal itself in the typical text book definition of what envy is. It could show in the form of thinking you're not good enough, you're too slow, or you don't have your life together.
Comparison feeds envy and envy feeds disappointment and discontentment in your life. Instead of focusing on our own lives and goals, we look to others to establish our timeline.
Truthfully, there is no perfect timeline. There is no exact plan to live your life by. Things happen at different times for everyone. Honestly, we don't know what's best for our lives, but God does. His plan, His timing, His purpose is what's best for our lives.
As I sat down to write this week's soul food I wasn't entirely sure of what I wanted to write. I had seen a lot on social media about comparison killing joy, His plan, and God working in the waiting which is all great, but I wasn't sure what it was leading to. I started typing out the title "Green Envy," but "Green IVY" came to my head. I looked it up because I had no idea what God was trying to do. What I found was this, "The clinging nature of ivy makes it a symbol of love and friendship" and "It clings to dead trees and remains green." It clicked. Instead of being green with envy over what we think should be reality, let's be green ivy and cling to the One who knows the plans for our lives. Let's cling to the light in our darkness and choose life when everything around us seems dead. Comparison will tell you that you're not on time, you're not the best, and you're doing it all wrong. He will tell you I know the plans I have for you, you have a purpose, and you're right where I need you to be.
Let's challenge ourselves. When you see someone that has something you are wanting or seems to be right on track with your ideal time, let's be happy for them and show them some love! Cheer on their victories and remember that your victories are not less and that you are right where He would have you in a time such as this. It's not always easy, but pick Ivy instead of envy.
Love!