Scripture: Hebrews 13:5
I spent a lot of years trying to excel in one area or the other. My biggest complaint was a lack of money, and the fine things it can buy. I drove to the Local Wal-Mart store in my shabby little car; filled with envy! Oh yes I wanted that car right next to me! You know the one. The one that shines! The one that won’t break down on the way home! The one with seats that never met children! My envy only made me sick. I felt like a failure. I felt like everyone was living the life I wanted to live. Nothing I had, was good enough.
It wasn’t just my car. It was my clothes, my hair, my shoes and anything about me that I could compare to someone else. I wanted to be a winner. I wanted an excellent life. I had no idea that excellence didn’t come with money and fine clothes. Those who are rich do not need to worry about excellence. They have excellent things; and if those things break down they’ll buy a new one.
There was an old tattered quilt that I think exemplifies the truth behind this devotional. It was truly ugly! It was torn and shabby and I craved a new one. I complained to the Lord about that old quilt while it covered me, during very cold weather. Yes, it was ugly but it was very warm. Finally, the Lord spoke through His Holy Spirit reminding me of my tattered life and the Work of His grace to put me back together again! So I got my thread, and I sewed the old quilt, and I thanked God for its warmth and usefulness.
The rich seldom treasure anything, because something better is too easily obtained. They have too much of it, and in every color. My self judgment came because I couldn’t buy what they had. I couldn’t look like they looked. The treasure they held was just out of my reach. I could see them. I could smell them. I could almost taste them. But I couldn’t have them. I felt empty and useless! I felt I would never succeed. In my heart I thought success was having all the things money could buy, and the respect that came with it.
It took forever for me to understand, the value of a soul is not what it possesses! The true value of a soul, is in the one who possesses the soul! I could have all the possessions I want, and still not be happy or fulfilled. I could still be a drunk, worthless to no one and in desperate need of repair. Jesus looked at my ragged life and mended the torn places!
The more we have; the more we strive to have! True Excellence comes from the inside! Excellence comes from my ability to treasure the “not so new” blessings in my life. Heb 13:5 let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” I can live an excellent life by being grateful for the blessings I already have. I can wash, shine, or sew and make the old like new again. I can treasure my blessings until they feel like blessings again.
True Excellence is not how much you have, but how much Christ has of you. The things of this world are passing away and all of mans treasures will one day fade away, but the life of Christ in you will live for eternity and you with Him! Let us treasure all our blessings with the same joy and peace because it is His life, in us that will spill out and touch everyone around us!
© 2017 Shirley Scurlock
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