While working on his school assignments, my fourth-grader got sidetracked. He was thinking about everything his siblings were doing instead of what he needed to do. His sister was painting, mixing shades of blue to make a river. His brother was working on expressive reading through a literary play. And, he…well, he was watching what they were doing. All the while, the page in front of him remained untouched.
With gentle reminders, I pointed him back to his work.
“I want to see what they’re doing,” he responded.
“Okay, but when they’re finished, you’ll still be interested in what they’re doing away from the table. Only, you’ll be upset with yourself for not completing your work.”
One by one his siblings completed their assignments and left the table to enjoy a playful activity of their choice. And, sure enough he was upset that he couldn’t join them. Through his eyes, it was even worse that he had yet to begin his work.
While sitting beside him, I did my best to encourage him. I tried to make the learning fun. But, he was still so focused on what everyone else was doing that fun was just frustrating.
Wait a minute. I’ve been here before. I’ve put myself in the place of being so concerned with what everyone else was doing and accomplishing that I completely neglected the assignment God gave me to do.
It’s difficult sometimes, watching other people succeed in their callings. It’s especially hard when I see all the glitz and glamor of their success. All the while, I’m trudging through, barely holding on to what God’s doing in my own life.
“Lord, she has much more time to be creative than me.”
“Lord, he didn’t have to work half as hard as I did to learn that.”
“Lord, how come they get to have the talent and the resources available to them and not me?”
Why? Why? Why? Me. Me. Me.
While placing my focus on what others are doing, I forsake the glory that God is unfolding in my own life. I think about where they are, rather than where I need to be. If I don’t obey what God is saying to me, and spend all of my time thinking about what God is speaking to them then their assignments become my distractions.
“So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or the left.” (Deuteronomy 5:32 NIV)
“Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do no not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.” (Proverbs 4:26-27 NKJV)
The truth is, I’m creating evil in my own heart when I watch others with envy rather than asking God, “What do you want me to do?” I deviate from His plans for me when I give my attention to His plans for others with a jealous heart.
“Are you solving problems or creating them?” I asked my fourth grader.
He huffed in response because he knew the answer.
God has gifted me an assignment. It may not look like what everyone else is doing, but it’s not supposed to. It was custom designed for me. He sits by my side, giving me directions, whispering instructions, and offering encouragement just like He does for my brothers and sisters in Christ.
I sit with all of my children. I want them all to know they have my favor. Their personalities are different. Their ages are different. Their assignments are different. I like to think the same is true for believers.
I’m called to listen to His voice, work out my own salvation, obey His assignments, and let His word direct my paths. I need to recognize the favor of the Lord in my life. Then, and only then, will I be able to accomplish the work He has set before me.
In the words of my son: “The biggest difference between paying attention and not paying attention is the amount of work you’re getting done.”
So, Lord, I’m paying attention to Your word and the assignments You’ve set before me.
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.”
(Psalms 90:17 NIV)
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