READ MATTHEW 20:1-16!
Am I being treated equally and fairly??
Let me help you put this question to rest please. The answer is no! Each of our definitions of equality are different due to our own perceptions which are based off our own life's experiences.Focusing on being "treated equal" is really nothing short of being a "selfish toddler". How can we keep our eyes on Jesus and be focused on being treated equal?
Simple answer yet again...we can't! One is focusing on holiness, righteousness, giving of ourselves freely, forgiving, putting others needs before our own. The other is focusing on the exact opposite, ourselves!
In this parable Jesus is the landowner and believers are the laborers. It is a strong teaching on God's grace to ALL who turn to him no matter how young or old. Many people that we do not "expect" to be in heaven will be there, like the criminal who never repented until he was on his death bed in Luke 23:40-43.
Do you resent God's gracious acceptance of the despised, the outcast, or the sinner who seems to "give their life to Jesus" once a year? Be assured that God is still in control! Are you ever jealous of what God blesses others around you with? Set your eyes today on the things of above instead of the things and people beside you!
Thank God for the gracious benefits he has given you and trust that only he truly knows what's best for the others around you! There is so much freedom in not using others as your measuring stick because whenever we are allowing Jesus to transform us there is not much time left to focus on others in a negative way. If you find yourself excessively focusing on a certain someone then maybe The Lord is wanting to use you to bless that individual! (or vice versa)
Break our hearts for what breaks yours Lord, open our eyes, our ears, and our hearts to what we can do and say to be a better witness for your kingdom!
Teach us how to LOVE like you do!!!
Help us to make your Heavenly Kingdom an Earthly Reality!!!!
Let us set our minds today and everyday to refrain from being Flesh Fed and start being Spirit Led!!! May the Lord's presence be mightily with you all throughout your day!
It's not FAIR! How many times have I exclaimed that? Ask my mother if you need an exact count, for that was my perpetual lament during my teen years. Not about what she wouldn't let me do, but about anything I saw as an injustice. I did not think others should receive if they did not deserve or earn what they were receiving. The Lord has had to teach me many hard lessons about exactly what you wrote about today, Heather. If we will spend more time looking in, judging ourselves, then we won't have time to judge others and their worthiness. Also, if we will spend more time considering the things the Lord has done for us that WE do not deserve, it won't seem so unjust when others receive.We might just be a little bit humbled...you think?
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