Whenever I say 'I grew up in a large family' I feel it should be up for understatement of the year. One of nine children, by western society's standards my family was huge. Growing up, there was always a lot of interesting family dynamics at play, much like a school's playground at recess, though there was no horn blowing at the end of a half hour to bring it to a stop.
What's fair?
When Dad divvied out treats there was always an outcry if the shares weren't equal. For instance, I could be contentedly eating a chocolate, happy that Dad gave me this chocolate. And then I would look up and see that one of my older brothers was given two chocolates. How unfair! Suddenly instead of being grateful for what I had been given, which I probably didn't deserve in the first place, I would be steaming that someone else had received more than what I had—I felt ripped off! And even though Dad gave me a chocolate, I would be mad because he didn't give me two chocolates!
I think there was usually good reason for one of us to get extra chocolates, like helping out with dishes or being well behaved for Mum. The lesson to learn is that looking at the outside of people's lives and comparing ourselves to the tip that we see is a good recipe for feeling unjustly treated. I look at people's lives and see all the good things that they have, but fail to see the process and journey they've been on to get to that place.
Right where I should be
More importantly, God has a plan, and I am a part of His grand design. He has chosen a place for me, and it is important that I fill that spot. I may feel I'm not getting as good a deal as the next guy, but I can't see the whole picture and the important role God has me playing even in the seemingly menial tasks.
I can point to friends who seem to have it all: good job, nice house, a seat with the 'in crowd.' But it's wrong for me to look at that and question why they are getting so blessed. God doesn't owe me anything; I need to be grateful for the blessings He has given me, not compare myself to what I can see in those around me. God doesn't want my focus to be on a comparison chart, He wants my focus on him.
Follow me
Shortly after the resurrection, Jesus had a famous conversation with His disciple Peter, asking him three times if Peter loved him. In concluding, Jesus said simply: 'Follow me.' Peter turned and saw John standing nearby, and asked "But Lord, what about this man?" Jesus answered with the following:
"If I will that He remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow me."
John chapter 21, verse 22
The first time this verse really struck a chord with me was when I read it in the writings of GC Bevington, one of my childhood heroes. He was a travelling preacher in the early 1900s who called himself a 'Holiness evangelist'. The account of his life is nothing short of remarkable, especially his prayer life and total commitment to following God. He would spend days on end under a tree or huddled inside a hollow log getting still to listen to what the Almighty had to say.
There were times when, praying about a bothersome situation or person, God would simply say, 'what is that to you? You must follow me.'
It is so easy to get caught up in all that is happening around us. I know I love to stay in the middle of the pack, in the safe territory where the waters are calm. But God calls me to wade into the deep end, following the beat of a different drum. No matter where my peers are in their journey with God I must make sure I am in the place God wants me to be—following him.
Thomas Devenish lives in Hobart, Tasmania. He works as a motion designer and enjoys the diverse experiences life has to offer, from wake-boarding to curling up with a good book on a rainy day.
Thomas Devenish's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/thomas-devenish.html