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Why you’re not ready for the next level
Posted under leadership
I was shocked when I read it.
I couldn’t believe it.
You’re telling me that _____is the key indicator that I’m not ready to go to the next level in my relationship with God?
JEALOUSY?
Not adultery, immorality, or idolatry?
But jealousy?
I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 1 Corinthians 3:2-3
Yep! The Spirit knows our hearts doesn’t He?
Because as long as another person or thing is our focus then we exchange our joy.
Here’s the divine formula:
- jealousy = no joy = no growth with God
I will flesh out this formula in my closing sermon illustration at Grace Church tomorrow.
- Title: Soul Food / Text: 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:3 / Summary: What’s feeding your Soul?
I’ll read an honest confession from author Rachel Held Evans about her jealousy for fellow author Anne Jackson.
It’s raw, authentic, and convicting.
Chances are you might be jealous and it’s feeding your soul rather than the Spirit.
So I leave you with a question.
What type of person or thing makes you jealous and why?
I guess I have to take off the mask first and answer the question for me.
Who?
People who are better speakers / writers / leaders than me.
Why?
Because it makes me feel insecure.
And now for You?
Man, do I have a boatload I could unload here (but won’t). LOL I was jealous of those who advanced to the bigger churches and I didn’t. Big time jealous. I finally let it go and realized that some pastors are needed for the smaller churches and that perhaps my personality was better suited for that anyway. I can’t say I was a “green jealous” but for a very very short while I was envious of bloggers with a ton of readers. Then I realized that was not only unhealthy but stupid. I blog now because I enjoy it, I like writing my thoughts down and if I have some who read it that is fine. Well…that is enough confessing for now.
Hey, Kary. Thanks for including a link to my little confession about Anne Jackson. It’s amazing how that post has resonated with so many people! It really speaks to the fact that envy is something we all struggle with, that even the people of whom we are jealous are likely jealous of someone else.
As I wrote in the post, “How sad that we continue to believe in VIPs, when we all share unlimited access to the Source of all joy, peace, and life!”
P.S. I think Anne and I kinda look alike when you put our pictures next to each other. Weird!
Thanks for posting this because it truly opened my eyes to some things I’ve been struggling with this week.
I am jealous of people in full time ministry, especially those I know on the mission field because that was where I was headed until God sent me a different direction.
Thanks for your honesty guys. Here is a link to the message from this morning. It centered on jealousy. http://gracechurchpowell.org/
Man, that is an awesome observation. Jealousy definitely puts a cramp on any forward movement. I totally agree… I look at others and say what can I learn or do differently or just be comfortable in my own skin rather being jealous.
Great point Dion. Jealousy chokes us out.