 Imagine life without covetousness. No desire for that which belongs to others would create a very different world than the one we live in. Especially for the economy, advertising & social media! But also for personal development. Besides being one of the 10 commandments, many Bible verses confirm the law: "covet-not". The Bible encourages us to be content with what God provides rather than worried or constantly per-occupied with gaining more. God wants the majority of our focus to be on Him; worshiping, sharing the gospel, praying etc... rather than on accumulating more money, things, skills & experiences. Two examples from scripture: The well known Psalm 23 says: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." or in other words "...I lack nothing" (Psalm 23:1 ESV / NIV). Another well known passage of the Bible, from 1 Corinthians, describes many qualities of love, which according to Jesus, summarizes the most important of the commandments - to love God & love our neighbor. Here are 3 versions of 1 Corinthians 13:4, interestingly pointing out that.... "Love doesn't want what it doesn't have." (The Message) "It does not envy..." (NIV) "It is not jealous..." (NASB)  Understanding that, as a Christian, I belong to the Lord, I see now that my past, self-focus on my own desires was a form of covetousness. I spent many years trying to stretch my capacity to achieve what I wanted. It certainly is not for lack of trying that I became unable to continue on as I was. As well as a career in a helping profession, I've wanted my own family, a husband & kids, as surely as I've wanted air to breathe. However, the way I went about this, in combination with God's will, has me living now in quite different arrangements! LOL, thanks be to God for leaving the ninety-nine to come get me! I don't know the future but I do know to continue seeking after & trusting what the Lord provides.  A photo of me with my friend Gaby's beautiful baby boy, Kameron in 2018. When I was around 17, my friend Crystal gave me a 'Love Letter From God' (by Arielle Ford). Back then, I thought that I was abiding by its message, but it turns out that 'belonging to the Lord' is a life-long, ever deepening commitment & most certainly is not for the faint of heart! "You must keep watching Me expecting the greatest of things. Keep experiencing the satisfaction that I AM. Keep listening and learning the things that I will tell you. Just wait. That’s all. Don’t be anxious. Don’t worry. Don’t look around at the things others have or that I have given them. Don’t look at the things you think you want. Just keep looking up to Me or you will miss what I want to show you. And then, when you are ready, I will surprise you with a love far more wonderful than any you have dreamed of." (Arielle Ford)  “This one will say, ‘I am the LORD’S’; And that one will call on the name of Jacob; And another will write on his hand, ‘Belonging to the LORD,’ And will name Israel’s name with honor. (Isaiah 44:5 NASB 1977). As a side note, in case you are wondering as I did, why is it that we are not to covet or be envious but God, who is love (1 John 4:8), is a 'jealous God' (Exodus 20:5)? It is explained well here on this post that when we belong to God & yet stray from Him, He has rightful, Godly jealousy.
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 17) If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18) do not consider yourself superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19) You will say then, "branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." 20) Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21) For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Romans 11:17-21 NIV I love this passage of Romans 11 because it makes me tremble with gratitude at how blessed I am. Blessed to have received the gift of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ even though many of 'the natural branches' have not yet. I pray for belief to come upon all the natural & wild branches, amen.  We are probably spared by God many times & don't even realize, but this one time, a few years ago, it was very clear. Driving north along 91 on the way home from Crescent Beach where my Mom had just adopted my furry (cat) sister, Lilly. At one of the highway entrances, a loaded, flatbed truck merged right into my car! It was in slow motion that we collided. As it was happening, my jaw dropped in perplexity as I looked over at my Mom. We were both stunned at the miracle taking place right before our eyes. Overlapping in time & space with a truck at least three times the size of my car without crashing or any physical contact - how can this be? The driver of the truck seemed oblivious to the situation! There in my Mazda with my Mom & Lilly, we were not only invisible but also as permeable as air. I don't plan on testing out this theory but I do believe in miracles. Do you?
 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:20) When I look at this photo, I think of the Bible verse, Roman 1:20 because these flowers, especially the middle parts, look hand-made, embroidered! And indeed, they are. The month of June & the book of Romans have been blowing me away! When my words are too many & not sufficient, I turn to making an art montage. Capturing some of the magnificence, mystery & memories ... it's a bit like catching butterflies in a net with holes that are too large. May I share the gist at least; please enjoy 🙏 |
