Greener Grass?

This past summer I took the kids to the zoo for an afternoon. We enjoyed seeing all the different animals; the bears, tigers, otters, emus, camels, and different birds. The monkeys entertained us for quite awhile and then off to the petting zoo we went. It was full of cute little baby animals. There were two small calves, a few goats, some miniature horses and a couple of lambs. The boys ran off to see the huge colorful fish and deer, while the girls and I stayed and watched the lambs. There was one particular little lamb that had its heart set on eating the grass on the wrong side of the fence. He struggled to get his head through and finally succeeded. After munching his new found delicacy, he decided he’d had enough and went to pull his head back inside the fence. He turned it this way and that way, he pulled up and tried pulling down. He was stuck! I stood there and shook my head and sighed, ‘the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence!’ Now, this little guy wasn’t starved for food, he had plenty on his own side of the fence. He wasn’t lacking any water, either. What made the grass on the other side so appealing? Good question!!

Is this like us or what? Under difficult circumstances, or when under certain pressures or even when we just plain don’t feel like anything is getting accomplished, we get to looking around to see if there is a better situation elsewhere. The grass begins to look greener on the other side of the fence. But is it really greener? Watch out! If we’re not careful, we will let these circumstances push us out of God’s will for our life right into the railings of the fence seeking for greener pastures.Before making some life altering decisions, lets consider a few things:

1. When a trial or difficult situation pops into our lives, do we run to the Lord in prayer? Are we willing to yield to His will in that particular circumstance, acknowledging we are His to be used for His glory and honor? Or do we run around like a chicken with our head cut off in full panic mode? (Too many times, I’ve been found scrambling - looking for my head!)

2. Often when faced with temptation, we can be guilty of ‘grasping at straws’. This is a good thing, because.... We will try every opportunity that comes along, without seeking God’s guidance. Here's a tip, determine now, in your heart, that you will stay steady and not make a move until you have complete assurance of His will in the situation. How many times have I thought something was God’s will and jumped right in without consulting Him. How many times have I put words into His mouth?!! Too many times to count I’m afraid.

3. Sometimes we will use our own lack of comfort and happiness as a barometer for change, thinking we must not be in the Lord’s will if we aren’t happy. What about Job? Was he comfortable and happy in his situation? I’m sure not. Was he in the Lord’s will? He most definitely was. I think he must have made up his mind before the situation arose to do the will of God no matter what the cost. Something for us to consider, that way our emotions won’t even be an issue.

4. Perhaps we want a change because we want an excuse to get out of a problem. We really want to quit! That most likely won’t solve the problem. Often we leave behind even more problems and difficulties for others to deal with and we bring our problem with us (it really is our reaction to the problem that is the issue). Shirking our responsibilities creates more hardships for others.

Let's consider this: Are we fully using the opportunities available to us right now to do the Lord’s work, or do we really think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence? Our imaginations can often paint a more vivid picture of exciting service elsewhere. Visions of better jobs, more pay, more recognition, more appreciation, more friends, and better opportunities for our children and on and on the list goes can often get the best of us. Could we just be looking for an easier way of life? Is that a reason to move on?

Before making a change or looking for greener pastures, maybe we ought to ask ourselves, “Is my spiritual condition such that my decision can be relied on?” If we are not committed to the Lord’s will, we will not have the discernment we need to make a spiritual decision. We just may get our heads caught in the fence!

Although it may look greener, it’s still only grass!!

Have a blessed day,

Lori