Keeping up with the Jones? Staying in the clique? Let’s be fair now! Look at them! God’s not fair! Why do they get to do that? What’s it to you? What’s it to me? Everything!

John 21:17-22 “Jesus said (to Peter), ‘Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.’ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’ Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is going to betray you?’) When Peter saw him, he asked, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.’” NIV

The truth is that God is fair. He treats each one of us individually. We don’t need to be treated like someone else. He knows what I need and He knows what you need. I am so glad that we are not just a number with Him. He knows our deepest and darkest secrets. He knows how much we can take and He knows how to protect us. He knows the kind of discipline and training each of us needs and He does it personally. He knows which areas are our strengths and which are our weaknesses. We each have different talents and abilities. We were created for a specific purpose and destiny. He knows exactly where we fit in His plan. When we are doing what we were created to do, we are the happiest and fulfilled people around. If we allow Him, He will help us to find and fulfill His purpose and destiny in our lives.

Is our destiny like someone else’s? No, but it is ours. Is God fair when He treats us different from others? Yes, even if it seems like someone else is getting the better deal. Everyone has their share of heartaches, brokenness, trials and tribulations. Each individual must deal with their own thoughts and choices as well as their rewards and consequences.

Is life fair? No, it isn’t in the least. Some people get hurt, killed, die before their time, abused and cheated, while others seem to live the good life. What is fair? Are we talking about this time on earth or are we considering eternity also? When we stop and consider eternity, this time on earth takes on a new meaning. An 80 year lifetime suddenly seems small in comparison to eternity and forever. In fact, eternity is hard to comprehend when everything we know has a beginning and an end.

Why not just live life for the moment? That’s all great and good if there isn’t an eternity. Why not return hurt for hurt and just live for the pleasure? I mean, if there isn’t an eternity, why not just indulge? We could, but then again, even if there isn’t an eternity I prefer to help, encourage and love others. It makes me feel good to help someone else. Do I like everyone or want to help everyone? No, and I don’t. I help those I believe I am supposed to help. I know that I can’t help everyone so I won’t even go there. There are others who have different abilities and they can help in other ways. I simply want to do what I need to do every day. When I have done what I know to do, then I am at peace and rest. I can sleep at night. My conscience is clear and I go on to walk in another day. Everything that happens has a purpose, just like every weight I lift increases my natural strength. In every situation I have a choice to respond or react. I choose to respond. If for no other reason than this, I choose to live my life this way.

I choose to be thoughtful of others and what they might have gone through. A person, who has no fear of heights, can work up high on the edge of a skyscraper, but that same person might have a fear of close relationships. Someone who is too timid to walk into a dark room, might be great with close relationships. We all have our fears. We all have our ghosts. We have those secret places that loom in the dark and when we are alone. I have seen a lot of signs that say, “No Fear!” I don’t believe them for a moment. Everyone has something they fear. I believe that someone who tells me they have no fear, are simply living in an illusion.

I would like to share a story to illustrate a point. This is somewhat graphic, but it needs to be to illustrate the point. Suppose you and a group of people are on a mountain and close to the edge of a cliff. Now let’s say that your close friend starts walking towards the edge oblivious that they are in danger. Here’s the question. What extent would you go to keep your friend safe? Would you yell? And if that doesn’t work would you run over and hold them back? What if they still walk on? Would you grab the nearest board and knock them out and then pull them to safety? What would you do in that situation? Would you simply let them walk over the edge? What is fair in this situation? Would it be fair for you to hit them over the head and possibly seriously injure them to save their life? What would that person say after you saved them? Would they be grateful? This is how the Lord sees us. He sees the end from the beginning. We can’t see what’s fair from our side of eternity, but He can. Isaiah 55:9 His way is greater than our way. His thoughts are higher than ours. He already knows the end from the beginning and He knows how to save, heal and deliver us. He cares and He knows us each by name. He not only died to save us, but He lives on to walk with us and be our friend. So what’s it to you if someone else has a different path? Keep your focus on yours, it is the one that is good and fair for you.

I hope this encourages you to find your God-given purpose and destiny. I hope you don’t compare your life to others. I hope you don’t even judge how things are going. We can’t see the outcome, but we do have a choice to trust in the One Who can and has our best interest in His plan for us. Get to know Him if you don’t know Him and get to know Him better each and every day if you do know Him. May you see others in a better way from this day on. Reach out and touch someone today. Share in their life and be touched in yours. Choose carefully, and let your choices carve the paths for you to walk.

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Joseph