The queen lives in a large stone castle that sits high atop a mountain. Her magic mirror hangs in a dungeon-like room with large pillars and ornate carvings. As the queen approaches the mirror to get her daily dose of affirmation, she summons the specter that has always and faithfully identified her as "the fairest one of
all." An inferno billows within the mirror and gives way to a ghostly face. The beautiful but wicked queen inquires, "Magic mirror on the wall, who's the fairest one of all?"
The mirror responds, "Vain is your beauty, majesty. But, oh, a lovely maid I see. Rags cannot hide her gentle grace. Alas, she is more fair than thee."
The queen's face contorts and her eyes burn with anger. How could a maid, dressed only in rags, compare to the regal beauty of the queen? "Reveal her name!" demands the queen. The mirror tells the queen the name of Snow White. "A lash for her!" hisses the queen.
Though she is a beautiful queen surrounded by royalty, her envy of Snow White consumes her. From that moment forward the queen seeks to destroy Snow White. The queen commands a huntsman to take Snow White into the woods and kill her, returning only with her heart. When this doesn't work, the queen attempts to kill Snow White by giving her a poison apple. Ultimately, the queen perishes while fleeing the scene of the crime. She is
destroyed by envy.*
"By pride comes nothing but strife..." Proverbs 13:10
Pride and envy can probably be traced to a multitude of problems that humanity faces, and it
can touch the lives of Christians as well...often times, without our even recognizing it for what it truly is. Is it possible that there could be some issues of envy and pride in our own lives that can have devastating effects on our spirituality?
"Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." 1 Corinthians 13:4
If we are to live up to our claim as a Christians, we must ask God to help us in these areas of our lives. I can't help how I feel, but I CAN choose Who I allow to be in charge of my life in every moment.
Have a great day and God bless!
Pastor Mike / The Open Word
