#write31days: Celebrating Our Friends

Yesterday we talked about the importance of recognizing when the desire to compete has gotten the best of us. As I was thinking about and preparing for this series, I read a book called Comparison Trap by Sandra Stanley. One of the questions she asked that punched me in the gut was this: Whose failure do you secretly celebrate? Wow. That one hurt. And what was worse was that it didn't take me long to think of the friend whose failure (which seems like a strong word, so let's go with "lack") I secretly relish in when I'm in the throes of insecurity and self-absorption.

All of this comes back to our lens- are we looking at the world as a place of scarcity or as a place of abundance? John 10:10 says, "The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly."

If all I can see is my perceived lack, then I am no good to anyone. I am not an asset in my workplace. I am not an encouraging wife. I'm not building a life-giving home. I am not a good daughter, friend, or mentor. When all I see is lack and the things I do not yet have or the gifts that were not bestowed upon me, who am I helping? Who am I serving?

Let's remember this today, friends. When we celebrate our friends, our hearts are a little lighter. We find peace when we are not constantly consumed with ourselves. We find joy when we share each other's burdens and rejoice when others succeed, because in the kingdom of God, there is room for each of us at the table, and we are all running after the same thing- for His name to be glorified above all.