TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “It is because the LORD has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.” Genesis 29:32
Listen: Genesis 29-30
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Rachel is beautiful. She is so beautiful that Jacob is willing to work fourteen years for free to have her as his wife. But there is one problem—her older sister Leah. While it was customary to marry the older sister off first, Leah doesn’t get as much attention from young men. So there Leah sits lonely in the shadow of her younger beautiful sister.
But at least Rachel experiences a happy, full life—right? Unfortunately, no. Rachel is beautiful but unable to have a child. She is so distraught about this that she tells Jacob she would rather die if unable to have children. So while Leah is jealous of Rachel, Rachel is jealous of Leah.
This story is a look into two sisters miserable with jealousy of one another. Neither is better than the other, but they both compare their struggle against the other’s victory. Their story shows us that finding value through comparison is as much a losing game then as now.
If we’re honest, we must admit we live in an age where we compare ourselves to others more than ever before. We log into social media and compare our day-to-day reality to other people’s best moments. Likewise, we post our own best moments in hopes of living up to the standard of others. Just like Rachel and Leah, we will always lose if we search for our value through comparison.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Senior Pastor Jeff Manion has talked before about the idea of a faucet with “on” and “off” handles. As we engage media and information, we often need to turn something off or take time away. At the same time, we may need to turn something else on which is more filling. Maybe it is as simple as not looking at social media in the morning, and instead beginning your day with prayer. Take some time today and consider something you can turn off and something to turn on.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
