I’ve been caught by this tool of the devil,
and suppose that you might have been too.
It sneaks through our thoughts to our actions,
then soon drives many things that we do.
As a sin, it gets little attention.
It can be really hard to ID,
but there’s evidence of its destruction
in everyone’s family tree.
As children, we might have been scolded,
without hearing this sin called by name.
Maybe that’s why there’s so much frustration
when we want what another has gained.
Have you guessed which of the commandments?
Is it two, four, six, eight or ten?
Here’s a clue: This tool of the devil
makes us feel that we always must win.
We call it the big, green-eyed monster,
and preach without offering grace.
Yet, when we spend time with the mirror,
we see plenty of green on our face.
The haughty and proud deny envy,
but if they would only think twice,
Beyond their material possessions,
would more skill or influence be nice?
You won’t hear me saying, “It’s easy.”
Instead, hear my cry, “Help me, Lord!”
I use up my time and my wages,
and then want what another has stored.
When we do harbor envy or covet,
it’s disguised rather well as a need.
Our fam’ly and friends might not see it,
but God knows our pride and our greed.
He said to us, “Thou shalt not covet,”
not to punish, withhold or control.
For each of us personalized blessings.
More than needs, his abundance can flow.
Help us run from the good and the better,
and to chase after all of God’s best.
Then His goodness should pour out on others.
Not hoarded. Not owned as a quest.
Oh, the list could go on – what we covet.
Some drag this sad sin to the grave.
Where they want for the peace and contentment
of others, forgiven and saved.
The last of the Ten Commandments
should never be seen as the least.
When we fail to obey the nine others,
could covetous be the true beast?
So I ask of the Lord to reveal it
when my discontent gets in His way.
I can rest in His tender reminder.
It’s something like this that I pray:
Now I lay me down to sleep.
I trust the Jones’ you will keep.
If all my stuff someone should take,
I’ll be content when I awake.
Thanks for your wise and clear commands.
Thanks for your strength and guiding hands.
Whatever circumstance I find,
help me not want for what’s not mine.
Help me to pray this every day,
for envy has a sneaky way.
I pray your mercy on this fool.
Help me avoid this devilish tool.
( I wrote this rhyming poem way back in 2013, before I knew how fulfilling it is to “play” with words. I’ve been thinking all week that I need to revisit what I started back then, and write the four more poems needed to include all of the 10 Commandments. The last 6 of the 10 are complete, but as you can imagine, commandments 1-4 lend themselves to a deeper respect and caution. I’ve started them, and then deleted them, having been unable to capture the significance of those commandments and do it in rhyme. Anyway … my goal in this particular poem is to draw the reader in with rhymes, and then bring them to ponder how disregarding and disobeying this 10th commandment might be a bigger problem than we think. And by the way, I can’t deny this poem as “autobiographical.” Even as I proofread before posting, the Lord revealed to me where my envy has tarnished an otherwise friendly relationship. I owe someone … probably more than one someone … an apology and another chance. Envy does have a sneaky way, and it is a favored tool of the devil. )
1 Comment