Avoid becoming an object of chaos

There are certain things that go together: peanut butter and chocolate, cookies and milk, salsa and chips. They just have a natural fit. Not all pairs have the same effect as cookies and milk. Some pairs create confusion and chaos.

In the New Testament book of James we read; "For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind" (James 3:16, ESV).

Jealousy and selfish ambition rear up in my children, as the story line in romantic comedies and sitcoms, and even in the church. Boy wants thing, another person wants the same thing, the two attempt to outdo, outrun and outmaneuver each other until one can claim sole proprietor of said thing. Every time, just as James predicts, what follows is chaos and evil.

Understood in these words is an implied relationship. There are you and the object of your affection; someone with whom you are in a relationship, something on which you've set your attention.

Then a third party enters the situation. Jealousy emerges when the third party enters the situation and they threaten -- real or perceived -- the relationship you have with that special someone. When jealousy has fully developed you'll do anything to remove that third person from the situation so your affection might be received rather than deflected.

Selfish ambition is hard to define but easy to recognize. It's a picture of putting yourself in front of everyone else for the sole purpose of gaining attention. Selfishness is living with concern only for you.

The pairing of these traits fuels chaos and an environment for evil -- chaos as to what this relationships is about, and evil desire to remove the third party, restoring what was good before they entered the scene.

When you or I act out of our jealous insecurities, trying to affirm our status in their eyes, or when you or I strut our stuff in front of others to create a feeling of envy in others, we are the primary contributors to confusion, chaos and evil of every sort.

God has more for us than jealousy and selfishness. He has more than feeling threatened and having to prove yourself. Grace calms chaos. His grace says you are accepted changing whose attention we seek. Seek his grace and his approval, then the other things will be added to you.

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. Read more from him at robhurtgen.wordpress.com.