Are you envied? Do you live and work around people who want to be like you? Not because of the great things you have done or said, but because of your example resulting from obedience to the gospel. Paul said of this world, “but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind”. Therefore some may see our transformation and want to be like us.

Jesus told the parable of the five wise and five foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-10) which gives an example of some we want to emulate and some we don’t. All of the virgins sought to meet the bridegroom, but five “took oil in their vessels” (Matthew 25:4), and those were prepared to meet the bridegroom. When the bridegroom finally arrived, those who were prepared were allowed into the wedding, and those who were not ready were shut out. One may wonder if those who were not ready were envious of those who were.  

Luke 8:22-25 recounts the occasion when Jesus, sailing with His disciples, encountered a windstorm and rough seas. The disciples fearing for their lives woke Jesus for help. Rather than participate in their fear, Jesus calmed the storm teaching a powerful lesson. That day He showed the disciples how to look past their fear and place their trust in the faithfulness of God. Suppose the disciples were envious of how Jesus reacted in this instance? 

When our friends and neighbors see we are different because of a transformed mind; when others see we are prepared as were the wise virgins; when the world sees that we can see past the storms of life to the steady hand of God, are we envied? Does the way we live cause others to want to know what our secret is? In truth, it is no secret; it is simply obedience to the will of God. May we ever and always strive to be the salt and light (Matthew 5:13-14) we were called to be.