The Joneses' Secret
Isn't it amazing how a song can stick with you for years after you first hear it? This song put a spin on the phrase, "Keeping up with the Joneses."
It was called "Two Sets Of Jones'" by Big Tent Revival.
It tells the story of one family striving for the next big shiny object. The bigger house. The bigger car. The bigger job.
The other family builds their life on the principles of faith. A simple life. A marriage centered on Jesus. A foundation to weather the storms.
In our neighborhoods, it is easy to look at other people and their "things". Their vacations. Their clothes. Their "happy-go-lucky" lives. Yet, are they really "living"?
It's easy to get caught up in the comparison game. What do they have that you don't? This is especially highlighted when friends post pictures from their vacations, and those "look at me now" moments. They look like they have it all. But do they?
Later in the song, we learn that the first set of Joneses—the ones who built their life on 'things'—has a bitter ending: when the storms of life hit them, their marriage crumbled.
They had no peace of mind amidst their storms. No real foundation. You can't cling to a boat when life's waters get choppy. It will capsize. Sadly, they did.
The second set of Joneses, the family who had "little", but really had it "all" with a foundation of Jesus, were able to weather the storm when life got tough for them.
When you build your foundation on the rock of Jesus, that rock cannot be shaken.
I do know that not every story has a happy ending. But, I DO know that comparison robs us of abundant living. John 10:10, Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
The enemy loves to steal our joy. He will do it any way that he can. When we compare our lives, our things, our salaries, or our possessions, to other people, our joy will be robbed!
I encourage you to ask God to release you from the prison of comparison. There is great freedom in knowing that in life's storms, possessions won't bring peace, but possessing the Prince of Peace will. If you have Jesus, you have it all. In fact, Jesus said, "you have it to the FULL."
Afterall, maybe, those neighbors who look like they have it all together actually wish they had what YOU have?
-Tommy
