Devotionals for the Heart: Why we shouldn't compare and compete

How Not to Sabotage Yourself by Keeping Up with the Joneses
A devotional by Desiree Future

“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”—Galatians 6:4-5 (NIV)

Today, I want to share a story with you that will teach you how to take the pressure off yourself when you feel like you need to keep up with the Joneses.

A group of friends planned to travel to Paris (France) for vacation. Isaac, Lennon, Edwin, and Charley had not yet visited this destination. The four men thought it would be a good place to go. Therefore, they booked their airplane flights and hotels then they began saving money.

All the friends held very demanding jobs, so this would be a much needed getaway. Isaac was a supervisor of ten people at a warehouse, Lennon was a plant manager, Edwin was an Accounting Manager, and Charley was a Junior Accountant. Charley was the only one who attended church regularly. Though none were married, they all had financial obligations to meet.

Their itinerary was packed to the brim for their 10-day visit. First on the list was to see the Eiffel Tower, stroll down the cobblestone streets, and visit the many shops along the way. Lennon wanted to take a boat ride to get better views of their destination. It was added to the checklist as well.

After spending 10 fun-filled, glorious days in Paris, it was time to leave. When the group of friends checked in their luggage at the airport, all had heavier bags than they started with when leaving the United States of America for France. Each had purchased many souvenirs for family and friends, as well as for themselves.

Two weeks after returning from their vacation, Charley called each of the other three. It seems he had overspent the money laid aside for the trip. Not having enough savings to pay his rent or car note, it left him in a serious jam.

Isaac, Lennon and Edwin all told him they were sorry but couldn’t loan the money. Charley decided to plead his case to his landlord in hopes he wouldn’t be evicted. Not mentioning his overseas vacation, the scared man explained he would be late with the rent. Thankfully she was understanding and gave him an additional week plus late fees included. Charley prayed the leasing company wouldn’t repossess the new car. After making numerous calls, he was finally able to get an extension on the car lease. Having to make a double payment plus extra high fees would avoid repossession.

Although Charley had saved money for the trip, not enough was stored away. Especially for the unexpected. This gentleman bought items just because his friends did, and the fellow wanted to prove that he had the money to spend as well. Making $57,000 a year in salary as a Junior Accountant didn’t come close to Charley’s six-figure hunger for expensive things. Every extra tourist adventure or object that was added cost more money Charley didn’t have to spend. Not wanting to seem cheap, the young man spent the money—funds that were meant to pay his rent and car note.

Charley was not thinking logically. Instead, his mindset was on how to make it seem like his wallet was bigger than it was. Now, after an exciting trip abroad, Charley found himself in a heap of trouble, having to pay late fees on top of the original amounts due. All in the name of pretending to be someone other than who he was not (a wealthy person).

This reminded me of something I’ve heard about for many years. It was a saying called “Keeping Up with the Joneses”. It means you are trying to compete with others by showing wealth, social status, and possessions. I’ve never been one to try to keep up with the Joneses. There are a lot of people who have more than I do. However, I was raised to understand that what God has given me is for me.

There’s no need for me to go into debt to try and prove my bank account is as big as someone else's. Nor is there a need to put myself in harm’s way so someone else doesn’t get ahead of me. Sometimes, we will find ourselves in situations like this. It may seem like there is no way out. However, this is where we will find God. All we need to do is just ask for guidance. Not only to get out of this jam but to give us knowledge on how not to repeat it.

In life, it’s not about making sure people don’t go higher than you. It’s about helping each other. It’s about praising others when they do well. The reason is that you would want someone to help and praise you, too.

Your gifts that God give to you is for you alone. No matter how big or small, they’re meant for you because God knew you could handle the talent. Keep your focus on your own things and not what someone else has.

Let’s Pray: Father God, please open the hearts and minds of anyone reading this to understand they don’t have to compete with anyone. Help them to see that You gave them something special and that is their uniqueness. Help us to celebrate how you made us and steward well the gifts and talents and money You give us. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Keeping Up With The Joneses” by Lydia Walker. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Desiree Future is a self-improvement blogger at “Hope Faith & A Smile” where she pens inspirational and encouraging posts. 

This blog that she started as a place for her upcoming novel turned into something far more than she expected. It developed into a home for conversations with people from all walks of life. By writing about everyday events that occur in her world she makes her posts very relatable. As some commenters have said, “Desiree talks to us and not at us.”

In 2013, she self-published The Pastor’s Heart, a Christian romance novel. The following year in 2014, she self-published its sequel, It’s a New Season.

Desiree has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) since 2020. She’s also been a member of a writing critique group through her local ACFW Chapter since 2021. Several of her articles have appeared on the official blog for ACFW. In 2022, she became a contributing author in the encouraging devotional, The Courage to Write.

This child of God may not have a church home yet, but God is first in her life.

Desiree is a cancer survivor who calls New Jersey home. She enjoys traveling to different places to spark ideas for her next article. She likes thrifting and going to the theater to see the latest matinee.

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Connect with Desiree:
Website: https://desireefuture.com/
E-mail: desireefuturewrites@hotmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Life Advice

Don’t Go Running Blind
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
–Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

Running races was something I did when I was younger. I loved it! I ran the occasional city race or fundraiser, and daily I ran alone.

The longest race I’ve run was a half marathon. The “half” is 13.1 miles. Initially, I wanted to run the full marathon, but early in training, I sustained an injury and settled for the shorter distance. I was disappointed to be running what I thought to be a second-rate competition. I was more bummed at lowering the bar of my personal achievements than my concern for my strained achilles tendon. I found a way to continue in training.

I was running for my glory. I was running blind.

Because of my running, I’ve appreciated this passage in Hebrews chapter 12. However, the author is not writing about a race like the one I ran. He did not promote challenges to prove oneself. This race he pens is a fight for life.

In the ancient world, the Olympic games were severe. Competitions were often to the death. While, like me, some contenders might have been seeking their own glory, but it was also common that prisoners were pit against each other for entertainment.

Imagine a stadium filled with spectators awaiting who would emerge victorious. This was no time to daydream or get sidetracked with whose shoes were a better brand! There was no silver medal for second place. Competition demanded focus and putting to use the daily training.

In these verses in Hebrews 12, I see four “sights” to keep us intentional in this “good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12) rather than running blind. Let’s look at the scripture moving from the end to the beginning: “…Jesus…who for the joy set before him endured…and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Let’s examine those four “sights”:

Sight #1: Run with eyes set on the throne of God

There absolutely is an end to the marathon and the prize is a face to face with the great I AM! For all of the striving and effort we put into proving value, the time is coming when we will look our Father in the eye and He will know every footfall we’ve had. What a reward!

“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith….”

Sight #2: Run with eyes set on Jesus

Jesus set the pace, training us daily by the records of him running ahead. It is Jesus who makes our victory possible! He endured what was set before him and knows we can follow.

“…let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely….”

Sight #3: Run seeing that the thing that holds you back is sin and the shame of it.

The blood of Christ on the cross was death to sin and death to shame. Forgiveness does not hold a grudge nor does it consider you accountable. The price is paid. Let it be paid. Shame is weighing you down. Lay it aside. Jesus despises it!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses….”

Sight #4: Run seeing the eyes that watch

There is no such thing as a secret. There are always witnesses to how we run this race. Children observe parents. Neighbors survey their hood. Heavenly beings also watch on as we run.

Let us be encouraged as we run the race before us. Let us not run blind, as if a spiritual world does not exist or if our steps do not matter. Let Jesus continue to be your trainer, saying, “Yes! Yes! Yes!” as you power on toward the prize. Victory is ours, friend, fix your eyes on Him!

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Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove is a self-proclaimed sociologist. The opportunities opened to her, over the years, have led her on a fascinating journey observing human behavior. 

She has a diverse background in business, fitness and health industries. This background led her to a unique position writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both recovery programs served women primarily from the homeless community.

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She's been privileged to participate in Leadership camps for maturing young women. These annual camps have a mission of encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young Maasai girls.

Easily identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she's served, Sharon now sees all people as needing more encouragement regardless of cultural or socioeconomic status. Within these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its transformative power has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys her garden, health food, travel and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, make their home in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. They have two grown children. Currently, Sharon is writing her first Christian historical fiction novel utilizing her study, experience, and understanding of self-destructive behaviors.

Love is in the Air: Once-in-A-Lifetime Kind of Love, a book review

I love, Love, LOVED this book by Inspirational Contemporary Romance Author Becky Wade!

A Love Like Ours--the story of Lyndie and Jake--is one of those books that takes you by the hand and leads you through a whirlwind tale of innocence, heartbreak, trauma, drama, restoration then lets you down gently with a very happy ending! 

So it is with great honor that I feature Becky Wade's latest novel, which Bethany House Publishers sent to me for free in exchange for an honest review.

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Once-in-A-Lifetime Kind of Love
Review written by Alexis A. Goring for Becky Wade’s book , A Love Like Ours

A Love Like Ours is one of Becky Wade’s finest, most intense, well-written books!

She explores the layers of her characters, perfectly painting a clear and correct picture of their hearts on paper.

The author takes Lyndie James—a beautiful free-spirit with an optimistic personality and a heart of compassion—and matches her with Jake Porter, perhaps the most handsome of all the three Porter brothers but also the most troubled.

Described as “Tall, dark and brooding,” Jake is wrestling with his PTSD caused by a traumatic accident during his days as a Marine. Despite not being able to control the circumstances that led to the accident and the death of his comrades, Jake who was in charge of his crew, blames himself and relives the trauma of that explosive moment very often to the point where he cannot sleep.

Deep within his heart is a safe place. It’s the place where he remembers his childhood friend, Lyndie. But since Lyndie left when her family moved away from Texas to California, that safe place is also a broken place and he blames Lyndie for breaking his heart.

So when Lyndie and her family return to Holley (Texas), Jake is more angry than happy to see her. But he’s not exactly angry out of well, anger; he’s angry out of fear because he realizes the place in his heart for Lyndie after all these years is still soft and he feels the need to protect her at all costs.

Jake’s innate need to protect Lyndie is challenged from the start of this story when Lyndie tells him she wants to exercise his horses and be a jockey for one of his struggling stallions named Silver Leaf. While Lyndie and her family lived in California, she received the experience and expertise that prepared her to be a great jockey and her compassionate heart that has a way with horses makes her the perfect person to help Silver Leaf reach his full potential as a race horse.

As the story progresses, the reader learns that Lyndie wants to help Jake too. The hurt in his eyes and his dark brooding nature does not deter Lyndie from her goal. A woman of faith, Lyndie believes all things are possible with God who is in the miracle-making business. But will Jake’s stubbornness and years of suffering from PTSD keep a permanent wall of steel surrounding his heart? Or will Lyndie’s love for horses and Jake break through?

You’ll have to read to find out the answers to those questions but I can tell you that you may fall in love with this story! It made me laugh, cry and smile.

The author is a pro at developing deep characterization, describing the settings and mastering the art of “showing” the story not “telling” the readers the action.

The reader will grow endeared to the childhood version of the characters as told in the Prologue and the reader will be captivated by the grown up version, dialogue and scenarios from Jake and Lyndie’s adult lives starting at the moment they are reunited in Chapter 1.

It’s such a beautiful story! The author takes you by then hand from page one and leads you through Jake and Lyndie’s journey from the beautiful beginning, through the challenging times and moments of despair, to the very sweet end.

What makes this book extra special to me is the Bible verse the author leaves on the last page of the book contains a beautiful promise from God in real life—Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version) which reads, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Another reason why I love this story—that’s my “life verse” and the reason why is a whole other story which I will not go into for the sake of closing this book review.

If you’re not convinced to buy Becky’s book yet, you may when you see the lovely book cover which in itself is endearing. The book summary also speaks volumes.

A Love Like Ours is worth every bit of a five-star rating. I can see this book being of one of my favorite stories forever.