One morning recently,
I had set a pot of beans on very low heat to soak and simmer all day. After
only 30 minutes the beans had absorbed much of the water and grown considerably
in volume. If the entire amount of beans was left in that pot along with
additional water, there was a good chance that the pot would overflow by the
time I returned from work. I considered chancing it but decided to split the
beans into two crock pots and add plenty of water to each. When I arrived home,
it was apparent that I had made the right choice. Each pot was two thirds full.
Had all the beans been left in one, it would have surely overflowed.
During the 30 minute
period the beans were absorbing water, I had been challenged by a book I was
reading concerning envy. The chapter addressed being envious of others who
share the similar gifting and calling as you. Looking at the pot of beans that
was soaking, I saw an illustration of this. I laughed at my momentary
consideration of leaving all the beans in one pot. There was very little value
to that and very great risk. I simply wanted to hoard and keep all the beans in
first pot, not giving any up to a second pot. What is even funnier is
that these pots were part of a three crock pot unit. The unit was designed
to share the load.
Likewise, a fleeting
thought of envy or jealousy can lead to a wrong decision. Had I not responded
quickly and split the beans I would’ve had a mess to clean. When we do not
quickly recognize and respond properly to the temptation of jealousy there will
be disastrous results. It can harm the person of whom we are
jealous. It will most definitely harm us. There is always a mess
that follows envy.
It can be especially
difficult to fight off envy when someone is experiencing more of something you believe God has called you to. The desire
we have to excel in that same area is from God. When He places abilities in and
equips us for a particular task, he also places a longing in us to fulfill that
call. How we react when we see someone else succeed is very important. We must
keep our hearts and minds set on God and his plan for us. We must not only be willing
to be content with what God has given us to do, but also willingly share with
others whom He has called. We can never
focus on what he is doing in someone else’s life. Focusing on God’s intent for
us will bring peace and joy. “A calm and undisturbed
mind and heart are the life and health of the body,
but envy, jealousy, and wrath are like rottenness of the bones.”
(Proverbs 14:30 AMP)
God has plenty of
gifts and calls to go around. There is much work to be done for the kingdom. No
person can do it solo. God uses many people to do the same thing, “And
His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to
be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired
preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the
Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of
His flock) and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11 AMP) This verse states
that He calls some, not that He has called only one to any of these duties. And
just like His ‘big’ ministry calls, many will be called to do similar things
every day for the kingdom. We are each bound to find others who are also called
to similar tasks as we are.
As it turned out,
there were plenty of beans for two meals. Each pot of beans soup could now be
made with different types of broth and seasoning. This would be putting the
unique flavor to each. Likewise, two people can operate in similar callings
with their own unique personalities and mannerisms. Their unique flavors will
appeal to different people. The value to the kingdom will be far greater with
every believer supporting each other as they serve God. When one becomes
seemingly more successful, it is important to remember, Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing
others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’
grief].”(Romans 12:15AMP) There may also be ample time to share in
the grief or weeping this other person endures later in life. Knowing who we
are in the Lord and trusting His plans for us will make both rejoicing and
weeping with others a genuine and natural response.
It’s kind of funny. I
could actually be jealous of the woman who wrote the book that challenged me on
this topic. She’s writing and selling great books that challenge and encourage
many women. Here I am writing a story about two pots of beans. But in reality,
I am so grateful for her faithfulness to write and teach as God leads. Though I
may never meet her, I am blessed by her work. For now, I am content and will
trust God to share something of His character through stories about my dogs, my
coffee, my family and even two pots of beans.
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