Monday, February 26, 2007

Fairness


The other my family was having some ice cream for dessert after dinner. As we were dishing it up, the call came out from my kids, "Make sure I have the same as him (her)." They both wanted to make sure I gave them equal portions and that I was being "FAIR." Fair is important with kids.
The truth is, however, that fair is important with adults as well. Do you ever look around and feel like life isn't fair? Maybe you don't have as nice of a car as someone else. Maybe you don't have as nice of a house as someone else. Maybe you feel like you have more problems than someone else. And I want to tell you, in many ways life isn't fair.
It doesn't take long to notice that life isn't fair. We don't all get the same things. We don't all get the same oppotunities. We don't all have the nicest things. We don't all have enough money to do what we want. We don't all have perfect lives.
So, if life isn't fair, then what are we to do? Many people like to complain. But complaining usually doesn't make life any more fair. And if fact, after a while, people get tired of hearing us complain. Others try to work harder so that they can have what others have. But that doesn't usually work either, but often times it causes other problems.
What we should do is follow the apostle Paul's advice in Philippians 4:12- "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Paul learned how to be content where he was. Learning how to be content is important in life, because if we are always wanting more, we will never be able to enjoy what God has given us.
Now, in being content, that doesn't mean that we don't try to make our marriage better if it is struggling. Being content doesn't mean that we live in poverty if we can get a job. But it does mean that we stop complaining and stop trying to compare ourselves to others. And on top of this, PRAY. God promises to take care of our NEEDS. When we pray, God will hear us and answer our call.
How do you feel like life is not fair? What do you think we should do about it? Let me know what you think (pastorchrislogan@yahoo.com)