Blog Post: "Thou Shalt Not Covet"
If I’m honest, I must confess that I often covet what John has. Not his material possessions, but his gifting, opportunities, and influence. I’ve often overheard myself saying “If only I had that position, or that platform, I could do so much.” I’ve found myself praying: “God, if you let me do that, I will do great things for your Kingdom.”
John is not a specific person, but he has been several specific people over the years. John is the guy doing what I wish I was doing, with the relationships I wish I had, with the platform of influence that I could use so well. John has been both inspiration and nemesis. He has both elevated and restricted my aspirations.
Coveting John’s position, role or platform can be a major hinderance in seeking our purpose as we recalibrate at midlife. Wanting to do what John is doing can prevent us from doing what God wants us to do.
Several years ago, I was confronted with a sequence of verses that forced me to examine my heart and to root out my covetous tendency.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” Ephesians 4:1
“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” Galatians 6;4-5 (NLT)
Three truths are confirmed in these verses:
1) God has a work that is intended specifically for me. Likewise, God has specific work for others to do.
2) I must pursue my work as an act of obedience, stewardship and worship.
3) I will be evaluated by my faithfulness to my work, not in comparison to the work others are called to do.
What may seem obvious became a radical game-changer.
First, it changed my prayers. No longer would I pray, “God, give me John’s calling so that I can do the amazing type of work that he is doing.” My prayer is “God, show me what you intend for me to do and help me do it.”
Second, it changed my relationship to John. I no longer feel the need to compete with John or to diminish or critique him to increase myself. I can celebrate John and what God is doing through John.
Third, it gave me freedom to explore all the possibilities of God’s calling. I found that surrendering my agenda opened up horizons as immense as God’s perspective. My aspiration was no longer limited to my version of John, but expanded to God’s version of me.
Here are some steps you can take to release the covetous spirit that threatens to limit your pursuit of your purpose.
1) Examine your heart. Is there a John in your life? How do you feel when you see John do what John does? What do you say to God (or others) about John?
2) Confess this to God. Ask God to expand your vision beyond John to see what He is doing in the world and how you might be part of it. Ask God to help you to walk in what He has called you to do.
3) Seek God’s work for you. Yes, that is a whole book’s worth of process-but get started. Find a book or a coach that can help you. There is process that can help you identify and walk in God’s specific work for you. Check out our Reference List HERE. Make the commitment to an intentional season of searching.
4) Take a first step. God wants your obedience first, then He can reveal His purpose. Teddy Roosevelt and Arthur Ashe are credited with this idea: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” You don’t have to know everything to do something. You don’t have to know the finish line to get out of the starting blocks. Look around and do what is in front of you today.
Midlife is a great time to seek God’s purpose for you in this new season. The possibilities are as immense and wonderful as the God we serve. Don’t let John block you from this future.