Friday Fight 108: The Perfect Pasture
Every Friday, when I wake and pray, God places something on my heart to help me fight darkness beginning in our minds. Today is FF108.
How many of us have been caught in the cycle of the "grass is always greener" mindset without even realizing it? It can happen quickly to all of us at one point or another. Yes, we could refer to our actual yards, especially when your neighbor owns a successful landscaping business like mine. However, that is not what this post is reflecting upon. When our minds travel to this destructive cycle, where does our faith fit into the greener pasture some of us desire?
The Perfect Pasture
Most of us have heard Psalm 23 recited various times, particularly after enduring loss. The Psalms are beautiful because they are written as prayers and bring comfort in these times; prayer flows from the Word of God. These opening verses reference God making us lie down beside the still waters in green pastures, so what does this mean? It is the pasture He has chosen for us to be still in among the same grass that is not green enough or not the right texture? We cannot be still with God and listen if we believe that if we were in a different pasture, we would not miss out on so much of life. The problem with believing the grass is greener is that it's a lie! When we think that another’s grass is more beautiful or that someone's life, career, family, or whatever is much better, it begins to change us. Unfortunately, we cannot see the condition of other grass clearly from our distance.
When God asks us to lie down in the green pastures and beside the still waters, He provides everything we need as He gently restores our souls. In remaining still in this pasture, we may feel we are on dirt or prickly crabgrass; maybe it doesn't seem as exciting. We may think that someone else's life is more meaningful or easier. But, if we are in God's will, the place we are walking through with God is perfect for us this season. God knows where our perfect pastures are much better than we do. It may not look green enough, tall enough, or short enough because we are too focused on the depth, texture, and color of those in the distance. People will leave a precisely placed area of grass where the essence of Heavenly hues and sweet aroma blow in the wind for the sake of something more fulfilling. Imagine the emptiness when getting close enough to realize what you thought was better is all fake. But it's too late; this synthetic yard is artificial, and this mindset, or what I refer to as 'sinthetic' has now come at a great loss. The other unseen issue is people who have this mental posture typically portray having a "suitcase packed" or "one foot out the door," which removes our whole effort. We are tricked into believing a lie from the enemy of our souls that "over there" is always better. Satan does this because as long as we seek what we believe is a more pleasurable pasture and sacrifice everything and everyone for it, we will continually walk outside of God's will.
Now is a great time to reflect on the areas where we have caught ourselves even thinking about another person's life or situation. But, of course, we don't know what someone is going through from a distance, so how can we ever believe it is better? The crabgrass and weeds are still there; you just can't see them from afar. But, trust God, once the yard furniture and other things are removed, we realize that God has us right where we belong and is waiting for us to be still enough to hear Him speaking life to our hearts.
Pastor Shannon
New Life Calvert