I was (am) absolutely useless at any athletic endeavor. However, I used to faithfully watch the Olympics, amazed by the abilities of competitors. I was envious because I knew I’d never be like them.

I grew up and moved on to other things. About 20 years ago I started reading “The Presence of God” a series of books on Christian mysticism by Bernard McGinn. It was a monumental work, over 1,600 pages in 3 volumes. I envied that work. Dr. McGinn retired in 2003. He has since published four more volumes totaling more than 2,400 additional pages and has one more volume in the pipeline. Goodness, that man retired produced more than I did in my whole working life! There is that demon envy again.

Envy is one of the seven deadly sins. I would like to tell myself that I am not an envious person in that I don’t want other people’s processions or their fame or power or position, but I do envy other’s accomplishments. Envy can be a serious problem. Cain was envious of Abel, and it lead to terrible consequences.

We should ask ourselves how well we have done with what God has given us rather than how we’re doing compared with someone else. We should rejoice in whatever God allows us to accomplish rather than moan about what we haven’t done.

I’m never going to write 4,000 pages on mysticism, but by the grace of God (and Bernard McGinn) I have had the chance to read and learn from those pages. Thanks be to God.

Read 1 Peter 2:1-3 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne