Day 10

Genesis 28:6-30,24

Have you ever found yourself trying to keep up with the Jones?  Maybe you play golf and one of your buddy’s is always playing, hitting balls, buying clubs. You start to feel a bit envious and start down the same path. All of a sudden it’s out of control and you have more clubs in the garage that you know what to do with. You’re constantly thinking “Man, I need to get those new clubs, I know John has been looking at them.” 

As men I believe that we run in this comparison lane more than we would like to admit. We are constantly looking at what others are doing, the vacations, the cars, the houses, the jobs, the promotions. This is a terrible trap to get into and never ends in a good way.

Today we see Leah and Rachel stuck in this pattern of comparison, desires to have what the other has. Leah gets the babies and Rachel gets the attention. Leah deep down wants the attention and Rachel wants the babies. So much so that they start offering their servants to Jacob. It’s a never ending trap that we get stuck in. But, what is missing?? What are we trying to replace when we get stuck in this trap??

We are filling the void and need for Jesus, with worldly possession, worldly accolades, others praises and admiration. 

 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[e] destroy and where thieves break in and steal,  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Mathew 6:19-21

Jacob falls into the trap of trying to fill everyone’s desires. Another terrible trap that we fall into as well. He gets stuck into a people pleasing path. What is missing from Leah, Rachel and Jacob? Not once did they ever go to the Lord in prayer about the situation they were in. Not once did they trust that the Lord has it under control. 

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare  and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

In what areas of our lives are we not submitting to the Lord? Are we trying to control everything that we are doing daily? At some point we have to realize that God has the master plan, he is the one that had it planned before we were born.