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On My Spike (Do The Right Thing)

"Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb." Psalms 37:1-2
         


When I was younger, my mom used to read me Psalm 37. It was the passage that calmed her, but she used it to teach me a life lesson. She always stressed the first 2 verses, which talked about avoiding envy and jealousy (of evildoers). The verse explained that it was pointless to worry of those who succeed through doing wrong, for they would "wither away like the grass". Looking back, I've now realized that those verses left me feeling incomplete; another man's outcome provided no detail to how I would turn out. 


In life, we commonly compare ourselves to how others are doing. Whether it be materialistic (house, cars, money) or sexual (who gets the girls, or just the buns), we validate our existence by being better than someone else. As a proclaimed "nice guy", I spent time (any time is too much time) upset at the jerk having the dream girl on his arm. When I finally stepped my game up, my jealousy centered around career aspirations. When you work on material for hours, text EVERYONE in your phone book asking for their support, and risk financial stability for your dream, it bothers you to see Snooki and "dem" enjoying what you dream for. As a teen, I would have sat in a room, lobbing up hate like alley-oops to Blake Griffin. As a college student, my demeanor would have remained cool, because I knew they would soon go under. But today, I looked past those two verses and I found what I needed:


"Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."  - Psalms 37:3-4


Now as I stand in the midst of both my theoretic challengers, it has dawned on me to try something different. It's time for me to worry less about how others operate, and be affirmed that I am doing what's right. Despite my "Lifetime Membership" to the Good Guys Club and my documented trials as an up and coming entertainer, God has blessed me by putting my desires within arm's reach. Though it's natural to ponder whether you will be successful, be faithful, righteous, and diligent, and you will reach great peaks. 

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