Have you ever suffered from celebrity envy?
Have you ever wondered why some people have riches and fame and good looks, not to mention gorgeous spouses or partners, while you don’t have any of these things?
Have you wondered why some people seem to have it all while your life is, well, quite mundane, if not downright mediocre in comparison?
The reality is that all that glitters is not gold, and neither riches nor fame nor good looks guarantee true happiness or satisfaction or contentment. And at the end of the day, nothing matters more than the state of one’s inner being and the quality of one’s personal relationships.
As Jesus said in another context,
“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26) We could also ask, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world yet lose their family and friends?”
To be sure, there are some people who are rich, famous, good looking and truly happy as well, with solid families and genuine friends. Conversely, being poor, unknown, and homely is no guarantee of joy.
Obviously.
Grinding poverty is a terrible burden and divine provision is a great blessing.
But it’s quite telling that the most turbulent relationships are often found among those who seem to have everything, while it’s not uncommon to hear of marital infidelity among those whose spouses look like super models...
