Tilted Playing Field?
Theme of the Week: Green-Eyed Monster
Bob Sorge
Sunday, July 11, 2004
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Who Said It
Bob Sorge was a pastor for 14 years, as well as a music director at Elim Bible Institute. But in 1992, he suffered a vocal injury that left his voice extremely weak and painful to use. He had to resign his pastorate, and still is unable to sing.
Now Bob writes and ministers by speaking at conferences and churches able to accommodate his restrictions. His books include Exploring Worship and Envy: The Enemy Within, largely based on his own spiritual journey. What He Said
Before the injury, when I was young, energetic, and whole, some might have looked at my strengths and abilities and been tempted to a little envy. After the injury, I was more to be pitied.
Now it was my turn to deal with envy in my heart. While being crushed by the Lord, I was tempted to look with envy at those seemingly exempt from God's disciplining hand. I watched others appear to run and jump with liberty and joy while I sat in my cell and chafed against my chains. "Lord," I've been tempted to ask, "why doesn't my brother experience even a little of the pruning I'm experiencing? I'm not asking you to obliterate him, but couldn't You level the playing field a little?"
Following Jesus is itself a full-time job. If I give my undivided focus to that, I'll not fight as much with envy because I'll not be comparing my journey with someone else's. Although I may struggle at times with my lot in life, one day I'll fully understand the wisdom of the course God has marked out for me.
Adapted from Envy: The Enemy Within (Regal, 2003) by permission.
Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click
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Sovereign Lord, keep me from envying the accomplishments of others. Instead, make me grateful for and content with the gifts You've entrusted to me.
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