Devotions

 

Saying It Ain’t Doing It

We read these words in the Bible and I’m sure they are words we would just as soon skip.  Paul writes.

• Philippians 2:14 - Do everything without complaining or arguing.

You can put that in the category of easier said than done.  And during this strange time that we have lived through and continue to live in – the importance of a good attitude is magnified.   While the views concerning how to react to the pandemic vary from country to country and person to person, the truth is your attitude while going through this is solely up to you.   Many have found much to complain about and that is completely natural with what we’ve gone through, but there are many others who have used this time to deepen family relationships, develop some good personal habits, and accomplish things that have been put off for some time.

Life is full of things that prompt us to grumble and complain.  You know it’s going to be a rotten day when your car horn goes off accidentally and remains stuck as you follow a group of Hell’s Angels down the freeway.  Or when your boss tells you not to bother to take off your coat.  Or your stimulus check from the Government bounces.  Life can be a grindstone, chipping away at us. 

• A Grindstone makes a diamond shine with radiance, but the same stone can reduce solid rock to dust. Life can grind us down or polish us up depending on the stuff we are made of.

Without the resistance of water, ships can’t float.  Without the resistance of air, planes can’t fly.  Without the resistance of gravity, people can’t walk.  Adversity is an opportunity for those who possess the right attitude.  The storms of life are intended to make us better not bitter.  I learned a long time ago – No flower can bloom in Paradise that is not transplanted from Gethsemane.  There will never be victory without a fight.  There will never be a crown without a cross.  There will never be a mountain top without a climb.  You never get where you want to go constantly complaining along the way.  Let’s follow Paul’s advise -  Do everything without complaining or arguing.  Easier said than done – sure – let’s do it anyway.