You know those moments when you are scrolling through your social media feed and you come across something that makes you twinge on the inside. I am not talking about the "warm and fuzzies", "heart warming", "grab your tissue" kind of twinge. Actually, it is just the opposite. The twinge that comes from jealousy and envy. The twinge that makes you start to reevaluate who you are, what you have, and where you are at in your life. Maybe you don’t know what I am talking about or maybe you have never experienced it. Sadly, I have been there more times than I care to admit.
These glimpses in the lives of those we follow can often make us question our own especially those who are successfully living out our dreams. You know the moments where someone else’s accomplishments only seem to minimize your own. The moments where their success seems to only highlight your failures. The moments where they say they have a big announcement coming and you begin to cringe.
Or maybe it may be a materialistic view leaving you feeling like you have less than. Their beautifully decorated home makes yours look like an episode from the Hoarders. The continuous "swipe up to shop" links makes you feel like you have to buy more to be more. Their daily picture of their kids all dressed in coordinating outfits while your child can’t even keep their pants on. Can you relate?
Sadly, Instagram is a source of this for me. I know, I know…” comparison is the thief of joy”, “you do you”, “there is only one of you, just be yourself.” I have heard them all, read them all and pinned them on Pinterest. All of it is true. However, when we are consistently “feeding” ourselves with these images daily, it can take an emotional and spiritual toll on us.
I have found when I am getting “fed” with social media more than God’s word that it begins to lead me down the path of self-doubt and negative thoughts. That is when the ugly stuff like jealousy and envy begins to creep into my heart. After so many business failures, I have questioned many times what is wrong with me, what is my purpose and why are they living out my dream. It seems unfair at times. It is so easy to desire the success of others and want what they have when I am constantly “feeding” their life images into my own.
Although I have unfollowed, blocked and remove some of these accounts from my feed, I feel the need to take a break from Instagram. In processing through these thoughts and feelings, I am reminded of some scriptures from the book of Ruth.
So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. Watch the field where the men are harvesting and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.” Ruth 2:8-9
There is revelation in these words. Boaz knew that because of Ruth and Naomi’s needs, and Ruth's wants and desires, that she may be tempted to go into other kinsman fields to collect leftover grain. However, He saw something special in Ruth and instructed her to stay in HIS field and not to go into any others.
By doing this Boaz was able to offer Ruth protection, provision and purpose.
That is exactly what God wants to do for us. We are all created for a unique purpose. For some it is easy to walk in their calling. For others, it may be a difficult path to reach their purpose and one that is filled with setbacks, heartaches and disappointment. I often feel like I tend to fall within that latter group. Despite whether your path is an easy one or one filled with challenges, whatever your purpose is it will not be like anyone else’s. What God has called you to do, is just for you.
While it may be easy to look over into the next field and desire to have what is there, we need to stay in our own field. Believe me, I am preaching to myself.
Yeah, their field may be taller, greener, bigger and filled with accomplishments that you have dreamed about but that is not where God wants you to be. The field that you are in now may not be what you expected but it is for a reason so glean what you can while you are walking through this season. God will grant you protection, provision and purpose.
When we begin to stray away from our own purpose and calling and begin to look at someone else’s field we enter into the dangerous territory of doubt and discouragement. Recently, I have struggled with this.
Ruth found favor in the eyes of Boaz, and he blessed her. Ruth not only had protection and provision in that field but there is where she found love. Ruth belonged to a greater purpose that God had planned for her life.
If you find yourself in the same place that I have, desiring what is over in the next field, take a step back from social media or any other area that may be a source of doubt and discouragement. I encourage you to spend that time feeding your heart with God’s word and prayer. God has so much he wants to give you and bless you with that is specific to only YOU. You need to be ready to receive it by staying in your own field where there will be protection, provision and purpose. Dear friends, go out and start gleaning in your own field.
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