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The book is better

I watched the Ten Commandments movie the other day with the kids. You know, the 1956 film with Charlton Heston, and the worst special effects my boys claim they've ever seen. In the movie, I noticed a lot of differences from the account in Exodus. Of course when I was a kid and watched the movie, this was the story of Moses. He was a military commander who had a chance to be Pharaoh. He was a hero in love with a woman. None of which is actually in the bible. I went back and looked because I couldn't believe the differences. There are a ton. They didn't even have all of the plagues in the movie! Of course it is  Hollywood, so there is bound to be some dramatization. Movies and books differ all the time. This is exactly why I will always argue that the book is better.
We compare a lot of things. Lately God has been speaking to me a lot about making comparisons. We compare ourselves to others. The things we have, our behaviors, decisions. We compare where we are in life, in relationships, how our children are.
In the parable of the prodigal son, I always saw it as no matter how far you stray, you can come back. God will welcome you with open arms because you are His child and He loves you. I never saw the older son as even being relevant. He is the son who didn't believe that the prodigal son deserved any of the good gifts the father gave him just  for coming back. Excuse me, but I'm the one who was here serving you and obeying you. I'm the one who stayed. I've earned it!
 It wasn't enough for the older brother to receive good gifts, he also wanted his younger brother to be punished. The truth is, I find myself relating to the older brother way more than the prodigal son. I compare myself to others and if I'm doing better, shouldn't I get more? 'And he said to him, Son, you are always with me, all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.' Luke 15:31-32.
That's beautiful. We should celebrate for each other. Not compare ourselves to each other.
The other day I was having a conversation with Tahcowa, when he made the remark that we were poor. "Compared to who?" I asked him. We live in America, one of the richest countries in the world. We have running water, enough food available that most of us feel we are overweight. We have doctors for everything, cars to take our kids to the doctors, and medicine and machines ready to help you live through almost anything. We have a roof over our head, and heat, clothes, electricity. The list goes on! Most importantly we have Jesus in our hearts, and nothing would make you richer than that!
During this conversation, it dawned on me that God has been showing me the dangers of comparing. Through the movie of the Ten Commandments, my bible reading, and daily interactions.
Don't compare yourself to others, compare yourself to Jesus. Don't compare your life to what you see on facebook, compare your life to what you see in the word of God.  Compare what you deserve, with what you have. What you deserve is hell, but what you have is a loving God who offers you inexhaustible grace.

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