“What Is That to You?”
Oh, man. Did I ever get schooled in my quiet time yesterday. God gave me eight hours of restful sleep, and then He took me straight to the classroom. Ouch. And also – I sure did need that.
John 21:15-23. Jesus has just prepared a tasty breakfast of fish and toast on the beach for His disciples. Then He and Peter take a walk along the shore. After Peter’s three denials of Jesus before His crucifixion, Jesus is about to have a conversation with Peter that will help him to know he’s still a very important part of God’s plan.
Three times Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love Me?” Answering more emphatically each time, Peter says, “You know that I love You!” Three times Jesus gives Peter some variation of this commission: “Feed (and) take care of My lambs (and) My sheep…Follow Me!”
Clearly, Jesus still has specific work for Peter to do.
Then Peter notices that John is following closely behind them. He asks Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
In a tone that communicates “That’s none of your business,” Jesus responds to Peter. “What is that to you? You must follow Me.”
I’d love to sugarcoat what I’ve been dealing with lately, but flat out truth – it’s envy. Envy is sin. And I don’t want any part of it.
Ever been there? Ever wished you had the experience, the relationship, the job, the Instagram life someone else has, the thing? Ever let that feeling gnaw at your gut, your mind, your heart?
Envy is a stealth poison, doing its work under cover of comparison – and it’s plenty deadly. Envy blinds us to what we do have – in abundance – and allows discontent to slowly suck the joy from our bones. Envy enslaves our focus so that all we can think about is what we don’t have or what we’re missing out on. Envy kills peace.
And God says, “What is that to you? You must follow Me.”
Just as every fingerprint is unique, so is every story ever written by the hand of God. Every soul ever saved has its own path carved out by His finger. It has its own purpose and work ordained according to its giftings, skills, and bent.
And it comes with a very specific mandate from the Lord: “Keep your eyes on Me.” Don’t force yourself into someone else’s story. Don’t write yourself into their script. Don’t set your heart on what doesn’t belong to you.
Because what does belong to you was hand-chosen by a God Who knows you completely, loves you perfectly, and gives to you in the exact measure that will lead to your ultimate good and His ultimate glory. It’s beautiful, and it’s enough.
Rejoice in God’s good plans for your brothers and sisters – plans that weren’t intended for you. Pray for their hardships – hardships that you weren’t ordained to walk through. And thank and praise God that in the end, every story will tell of His amazing grace, wisdom, and love.
