Sippy Cup Envy

I have actually had this episode written in my head for a week or so, but could not decide whether it belonged here or on the family blog - Adventures in Serendipity. But after writing yesterday's post, I realized that it would support the point I made rather nicely. So, lucky you, here it is.

Last week I met a friend and her two children at the mall so we could visit while the kids ran wild (as you may know I use the term "ran" loosely when referring to my child). After 30 minutes or so, I noticed an interesting phenomenon, more accurately an epidemic, taking place all over the "playground." It began with one child noticing the abandoned sippy cup of another child who was busy jumping off the toys and generally enjoying his life as a carefree three-year old.

Then, before I could comprehend what was happening, it was on. I watched in amazement as mothers all around the play area struggled to pull their respective children back from grabbing and drinking from a sippy cup other than their own. Tempers flared, tantrums were thrown (yes, I am referring to the mothers). Sippy cup envy had turned what moments before had been peaceful playtime full of frolicking children into a maelstrom of discontent and extreme frustration.

As I watched this episode unfold in front of me, I was immediately struck by a few things. First being, how scary it is to realize that the propensity for jealousy and dissatisfaction with one’s own things can manifest itself in such young children. Phooey on The Fall and that pesky sin nature we are born with. Secondly, how tragic it was that because these children had become so obsessed with wanting something that was not theirs and that they could not have that they were missing out on the incredible gift and blessing of the freedom to play – to run free, climb high, jump far, and just plain enjoy the company of other kiddos. A temporary desire or supposed pleasure was stealing the joy set before them.

Hmm. Sound familiar? How many times do we allow our joy in Christ to be stolen by our childish jealousy and dissatisfaction with our present condition? Why does this happen? The object of our focus. Perspective. 100 ft. Rubbish or Risen Christ?

I am reminded of Sam Storms’ comments on the words of Paul found in Colossians 2:20-23:

“Holiness, in this case the ability to say No to ‘fleshly indulgence’ (2:23), comes not from rigorous asceticism or self-restraint but from a mind captivated and controlled by the beauty and majesty of the risen Christ and all that we are in Him in the heavenlies!

Yielding to fleshly urges is overcome by ‘seeking’ the things above. Fixing our minds on ‘things above’ leaves little time or mental energy for earthly fantasies. The heart that is entranced by the risen Christ is not easily seduced by ‘the things that are on earth’ (verse 2b). Paul uses language that requires both the energetic orientation of our will (‘keep seeking’) as well as the singular devotion of our mind (‘set your mind’). This is a conscious and volitionally deliberate movement of the soul to fix and ground itself on, indeed to glut itself in, if you will, the beauty of spiritual realities as opposed to the trivial and tawdry things of this world” (p. 131).

“’Seeing’ Jesus in the Word reconfigures our emotional chemistry and transforms the disposition of our hearts in terms of what we love, desire, cherish, hate” (p. 133).

Or the words of a dear sister in Christ and gifted photographer, Dejah Quinn: “I know it feels like an uphill marathon....just keep running my dear! Chasing HIM...Don't EVER stop. And keep listening...He will coach you. Listen to His convictions...and His alone. (Us humans have really screwed up the recipe of the gospel buy adding our own ingredients....haven't we?!).”

The object (or person) of obsession is our choice – the neighbor’s sippy cup or the incomparable beauty of the Son of God?

Truly, only Christ matters.