Friday, May 6, 2011

Each Person Is Unique

Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. -- Galatians 6:4

Have you ever had someone else's jealous eyes focused on you? Have you ever been put down and condemned because someone else needed to make you less in order to try and make themselves better? It's not a lot of fun. In fact, it's downright uncomfortable.

Yet, here we are. Always wanting something someone else has, whether it's a promotion or a new dress or a house with a swimmng pool. Or maybe it's someone else's spouse, children or life. We think that if we have what someone else has, then we'll be happier, more fulfilled, accepted by the right people. It never works, of course.

I still remember the first time I felt the dagger of jealousy. It was over something stupid. Really. My lipstick stayed on all day and hers didn't. I shared the tip and the jealousy calmed itself. Until next time. Because there is always a next time. Unhappy people always seem to be looking elsewhere to change themselves.

I've learned to just get on with my life and try to follow the path God has laid out for me. I can't change how other people feel or how they react. I've also tried to quell my own jealousies. Because we all have them for time to time. The key is to recognize them and dismiss them as the foolishness they are.

God has gifted us all with different personalities, different skills and talents. We should use our unique abilities to do what God has called us to do. And let others do the same.