On the Minister's Mind

by Rev. Laine Morgan

One of the wisdom teachers we encountered in our summer program was Glennon Doyle and her podcast with her wife and her sister - We Can Do Hard Things. I have been reading her books for several years and always find gems in her writings. The other day, this little bit of truth stopped me in my tracks –

“We’re only envious of those already doing what we were made to do. Envy is a giant, flashing arrow pointing us toward our destiny.” ~ Glennon Doyle Melton

Wow – that is so true! If you ever wonder what you might want to do next in your life, pay attention to your feelings of envy. Who is doing the thing that you wish you could be doing yourself? Then, ask – what is stopping me?

I remember years ago being so jealous of this woman who was traveling around the country conducting training in my professional organization. I would sit in her trainings and stare at her clothes, and the presentations she gave, and felt myself wishing I had her life. One time I even walked up to her and told her I wanted her job someday. She kind of dismissed my interest, but the funny twist is that about 12 years later, I actually was promoted to take her position when she retired. 

When I was younger, I also was envious of mothers before I became a mother, and ministers before I stepped into ministry. I was envious of those with the title “Life Coach” too! Glennon is right – we are envious of those ahead of us on the path that leads to our own deepest desires.

I think the secret is to lean into the feelings of envy and let them reveal to you what you deeply want. Get curious as to the path that led them to what they are doing and see if there is inspirational information available for you – things you could learn, or changes you could make, or choices that are required.

The Science of Mind teaches that within every seed of desire is everything necessary to attract to itself that which is required to grow that seed into reality. That means that your envy may be revealing to you one of your seeds of desire and perhaps it is time to start nurturing it into life. Partner with Spirit to continue growing in the direction of your destiny.

I can’t wait to meet the next person that evokes a feeling of envy within me because I will be paying attention to the “giant flashing arrow” toward another piece of my destiny!