So many things running through my thought process and my heart has been in serious reflection. What Ive been burdened with and shared will be received with support, criticism, challenge, and being dropped from a friend list or two, but I feel its something that needs to be said and a challenge to all of us Christians. As we are knee deep into the Christmas season, which I think is the most stressful time of the year for a ton of reasons, I keep reflecting on how are we as Christians portraying ourself to those around us. How are we as Christians choosing to portray our faith. Are we portraying our faith by being complainers over things that are to be honest not worth the breath we breathe. I posed that challenge to my Sunday School classes yesterday when I asked Can we say with utmost confidence when we look at ourselves in the mirror that we are being fully committed to His church in serving Him, filling needs in the church in terms of outreach events, serving on committees, giving God our first 10%, and supporting our Church staff? I’ll be willing to bet for well over half of us, that answer should be no, including me. Think about it. Lately, I have heard with greater magnitude nothing but complaining about petty things. Is it because its the Christmas season? Is it because what we are experiencing not what we want to hear, or say, or do? Isnt everything in our life an opportunity to grow closer to God, follow His command, being Christ to the world, or are we intentionally choosing to take the path of being Negative Nancys, complaining about something that isnt what fits in our little box, whether it be something our boss wants us to do (not talking about unethical stuff), a church brother or sister who didnt say something that we wanted to hear (isnt church a place for sinners to gather or have we made church a country club like setting?), or because we view our churches to be what we want it to be? Personally, God has blessed me lately with an amazing job that is providing income. A definite plus, but one might want to contend that I am putting work before serving my Father. I see the hours I am working and days I am working presently as an opportunity to work with people that dont know Jesus and try to be used by Him to minister to others. Am I the perfect servant? No. Do I make mistakes...yes! I am human. Instead of choosing to complain or making a huge deal, I am doing my best to choose to accept what God has prepared for me and to see what He has in store and getting out of my own way. Thats the path I am choosing to take. What else has God reminded me of lately? How things He taught me from over the summer are being reminded all over again. He has taught me how resistant people are to change, especially within the church. As many of my brothers and sisters know, my church is about to embark on a transition that hasnt occurred in over 30 years, which is due to one of Gods loyal and faithful servants retiring from the pulpit and transitioning into retirement. Maybe I am just a little naïve or plain dumb, but shouldnt a church body who is in that situation unite for the cause of Christ or should we question whether something is being done because it doesnt fit our little box that we put God in? I dont have the answer other than making the choice to follow the only person that matters. So there will be those that ask, what is the point? As I process all these things that God is presenting to me, I feel that two things stand out. First is that life is all about choices. Do we choose to take the high road in the midst of strife, accept what God has commanded us to do, and allow Him to teach us, or are we going to choose to complain, complain behind peoples backs because changes dont fit our little box where things have to be done our way. Second point that has weighed heavily on me is how resistant are we truly to change. Some people handle change better than others, while others make the choice to be the complainers of change. It shouldnt matter what the circumstances are, inside and outside the church, God reminds us about change. To me, I am trying to be the best person I can be about change. Im not the greatest person when it comes to change, but God keeps showing me to view every day through His eyes, in any and all circumstances. By seeing change as part of life, it has provided me an opportunity to view things different and be challenged in my daily walk. Some people will read this and just move on. Some will reply or like my post, whether be out of kindness or because they found something to challenge them in their walk. Some people will complain and be critical because they had their toes stepped on. Some people will just think Im complaining or being critical. To be honest, I dont care. I only care about pleasing and serving the One who has given me far beyond what I deserve or expect. Life is a highway...I just want to enjoy the twists and turns that come with the life I have been provided. Good or bad, enjoy it because at the end, everything else is meaningless compared against the greatest gift we could have ever received. My prayer is this...that our complaints are compared to the grand scheme of life and it doesnt matter what box we want to put God and our lives in. If we are not changing and growing closer to God, then what good does our complaining about life, others, are we setting the proper example to those around us, especially our kids and the next generation. God bless you all, thank you for listening, and now its time to get my 5 hours of sleep before starting the new day He has created for me.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 04:53:29 +0000
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