22 July | Teens
«And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the Lord. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.” ’» Jeremiah 45: 5
Did you know that sometimes less is more? This may sound strange, but it's a great truth, especially when we talk about what really matters in life. There are a lot of people looking to be more minimalist, which is a new style that seeks to live only with what is essential. In Jeremiah 45:5, God gives special counsel to Baruch, saying, “And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them.” This means that striving to be the greatest in everything is not the most important thing.
This advice is a reminder that being happy and doing good is not a direct consequence of being the most famous or the richest. God teaches us that true joy comes from simple things like helping others, being a good friend and being content with what we have.
Sometimes we try to be the best at games, school, or other activities, and that's cool. But what's more important is the intention behind that motivation. To be ambitious is to have dreams and work hard to achieve them, wanting to improve and grow in a positive way. Greed, on the other hand, is when we always want more and more, without caring about others or what is fair. While ambition can inspire us to achieve goals and make a difference in the world, greed takes us away from people and can lead us to make poor choices.
Take Action
This week, how about doing something nice for someone without expecting anything in return? It could be sharing your lunch with a friend, helping your parents around the house, or even giving someone a sincere compliment. You'll see how small actions can bring a lot of joy, both to yourself and to others!