A Cruel Master

Sunday, my story for the 3rd and 4th graders at church was Daniel in the Lions' Den.  It is a well-known story, but as happens when reading the Bible, I find myself filtering the story through my present lens.

Daniel found himself in the lions' den because of others' jealousy.  The description of the other satraps, prefects, and government officials who were threatened by Daniel's hard work, honesty, and recognition is heartbreaking.  They were so busy trying to dig up dirt on Daniel that they could not concentrate on their own responsibilities.  So, they lied, they connived, they tricked the King with flattery, they found themselves "looking through the window" to catch Daniel breaking the law, they tattled, and they ended up devoured.  Jealousy is a cruel master.

It seems that jealous people sometimes have an invested interest in the failure of others.  Those people who are closest to them are the ones most often targeted.  Instead of getting up and striving to improve their own situations, if they are not happy, they devise ways to bring down others.  Sometimes, like Daniel's nemeses, those who seek to bring down others do it with intention.  It is a well-devised plan.  More often, however, I believe, if confronted, a jealous person would be stunned that you thought them so.

We all know people like this.  We all are people like this in certain situations.  You know who I mean; those who quietly sabotage someone who is working hard to lose weight, or quit drinking, or exercise more, or study hard to pass a test, or remove sugar from diets, or excel at their jobs, etc.  The list is endless.  What does it say about me if my old running buddies grow up and change their lives and I don't?

There is a song by Rascal Flatts that was very popular several years ago.  It is entitled "I'm Moving On."  One stanza speaks of this to me: "I've lived in this place and I know all the faces.  Each one is different but they're always the same.  They mean no harm but it's time that I face it, They'll never allow me to change...."  Those who refuse to allow others to change are devoured in their own misery.  I have such admiration for those, and I know several, who refuse to allow those who would hold them back to....well, hold them back.  They are moving on, living the lives they were intended, regardless of who would have it otherwise.

I started this blog a few days ago.  Each morning I receive a quote, more like a devotional, from The Frederick Buechner Center.  A passage from yesterday says, "Your life and my life flow into each other as wave flows into wave, and unless there is peace and joy and freedom for you, there can be no real peace or joy or freedom for me."  I love that.  I believe it to be true.  I do not want to be "looking through the window" hoping to trip others up.  I want to be in the room cheering them on.

Wishing you a day rejoicing in the good fortune of all those with whom you might compare yourself. Let us not be devoured by jealousy, that cruelest of all masters.