Envy

I went on my last vacation bikeride on the beach in the early morning yesterday. The beach was empty, and the tide was going out. It was magical, with the sun sparkling on the waves. Then I spied some sunglasses rolling in the surf. I pedaled quickly over and snagged them. They were miraculously unscathed, and looked expensive. Not a soul was in sight, so rather than sacrifice them to the ocean, I washed the sand off, and took them with me. They were a little large on me, but free is free!

Later, I googled the name which was stamped on the temple: Envy. I gasped when I saw the price for Envy aviator style sunglasses, which is what I had: $225! They no longer looked large on me. They fit me perfectly, with the chic oversized sunglass look of Jackie Onassis. These were not just any sunglasses; they were designer sunglasses. Suddenly, just stuffing the sunglasses unprotected in my purse seemed foolish. I pulled them carefully from my purse and found my old glass case in the car. I tossed my old glasses unprotected into the glove compartment. Then I lovingly laid my beautiful, expensive, new sunglasses in the lined case. I closed it gently. However, throughout the day, I opened the case and gazed upon the sunglasses. I would, of course, not wear them. They were WAY too expensive to wear.

Later, I googled Envy sunglasses again, just to smile at the retail price listed. What's this?  A new window popped up with Envy sunglasses at Overstock.com for $13.99. Suddenly, my beautiful new sunglasses looked cheap. I took them out of the case and looked them over. Were they the $225 Cadillacs of the sunglass world, or cheap knock-offs? I found a contact email for Envy Sunglasses and wrote to them, asking just that very thing.

Funny how my attitude about the sunglasses took a 180 degree turn depending on how valuable the world deemed them. I admit, I am waiting breathlessly to hear from the Envy corporation. And frankly, God is being a bit too obvious, don't you think? Did I need sunglasses? No. Did I want sunglasses? No. Not until I thought I was in possession of extremely outrageously expensive sunglasses. Suddenly I realized I would be the ENVY of anyone who knew anything about sunglasses. I wanted those sunglasses more than anything in the world. I had never been envious about anyone who owned designer sunglasses till that very moment when I realized that I might not be in possession of designer sunglasses.

And what does the Bible have to say about envy?
Just take a gander:

Proverbs 14:30 
A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

Lovely. My bones are rotting as we speak. Gee, I wonder what God is trying to tell me? Sometimes the message just slams me in the face. Anyone who thinks God isn't communicating with us on a regular basis is just not listening.

Still, forgive me as I check my email to see if Envy wrote back about my sunglasses.....

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James 3:14-16 

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Proverbs 14:30 

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

Philippians 2:3 

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

James 3:16 

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.