Readings for today: Numbers 10-13, Psalms 90
Humanity is never satisfied. It’s part of our sinful nature. It’s condition we are born into. No matter how much wealth we accumulate, it’s never enough. No matter how much power and position and influence we have, it’s never enough. No matter how much personal and professional success we achieve, it’s never enough. As the Apostle Paul once wrote, “our god is our belly.” Given the right set of circumstances, we will overindulge every time. Food. Alcohol. Material possessions. The list is endless because our appetite is insatiable.
Think of all the miracles the people of Israel had witnessed. The plagues in Egypt. The parting of the Red Sea. Manna from heaven. Water from rocks. The presence of the Lord on Mt. Sinai. Still, it wasn’t enough. They grew tired of the hardship of the journey to the Promised Land and complained about needing rest. They grew tired of eating manna and complained about wanting meat. Aaron and Miriam grew tired of Moses’ leadership and complained about wanting more influence and power. And when God fulfills His promise to bring His people to the edge of the Promised Land, what do they do? They complain about the strength of the people already living in the land. It’s like God can’t win with these people. No matter what He does, it’s never enough.
If we’re not careful, the same could be said for us. How easy is it for us to focus on all we don’t have rather than on all we do have? How easy is it for us to be jealous of our neighbors or friends or colleagues? How easy is it for us to be envious of another‘s success? How easy is it for us to covet the attention and influence that others may have? And how easy is it for us to forget all God has done for us? All God has worked out on our behalf? All God has given us? How easy it for us to become complacent and start to complain rather than appreciate His blessings?
One of the spiritual practices I engage in on a daily basis is to spend time thanking God for all He has done for me. At the end of every day, as I lie in bed at night before I drift off to sleep, I count the blessings. I lift praises to God. I thank Him for the small things and the big things. For the ordinary and the extraordinary. I try to cultivate a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity by focusing on all I do have rather than what I don’t have. I try to foster an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving rather than envy or jealousy or coveting what others have that I do not. It has been a transformative practice in my life and one I would encourage everyone to engage.
Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 14-16, Psalms 95