"Do
everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become
blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and
depraved generation in which ye shine like stars in the universe."
~ Phillipians 2:14-15 (NIV)
Could
this be the kind of scripture that is a gateway to a new and better
attitude?
How can we shine as a light for Christ if we are as dismal and complaining as everybody else? We have been blessed with a hope and future. This sweet anticipation should be our daily comfort to help us shine more vibrantly the darker the world becomes. I am typing this as a preaching point to myself. It is so easy for me to become wrapped up in the gloom and doom the news media touts - the economic disasters that are inevitably looming ahead. But if my hope is truly "built on Jesus' blood and righteousness" then should these things really hold the power to bring me down? If I focus on giving thanks in everything rather than muttering and complaining, what spiritual and emotional dividends could be reaped?
I will never know unless I try.
How can we shine as a light for Christ if we are as dismal and complaining as everybody else? We have been blessed with a hope and future. This sweet anticipation should be our daily comfort to help us shine more vibrantly the darker the world becomes. I am typing this as a preaching point to myself. It is so easy for me to become wrapped up in the gloom and doom the news media touts - the economic disasters that are inevitably looming ahead. But if my hope is truly "built on Jesus' blood and righteousness" then should these things really hold the power to bring me down? If I focus on giving thanks in everything rather than muttering and complaining, what spiritual and emotional dividends could be reaped?
I will never know unless I try.
Picture taken in June 2010 while visiting the magnificently enchanting island
of Mackinac, Michigan.
of Mackinac, Michigan.
