Grumbling

Do everything without grumbling…then you will shine…like the stars in the sky. Philippians 2: 14-15 NIV

No grumbling. That sounds easy but it is not in line with our natural tendencies. We want what we want, when we want, how we want, and if that doesn’t happen, we grumble. We feel entitled to grumble. However, a choice is before us.  Do we want to be dark rocks in the world or do we want to shine like the stars? I have a choice to make. It will be a struggle to not grumble but if I start by wanting to tame the discontent, then slowly it will be less of a problem.  I have to start somewhere and that is by wanting to be a star bringing brightness to the world, and hopefully pointing the way to Jesus.

It is possible to state that something is wrong without grumbling.  I think grumbling is a more personal feeling of affront. It points to a lack of thankfulness for the grace, mercy, forgiveness and love that God gives us.  It says I deserve better even though the truth is I deserve less. Recognizing that someone is disobeying God is just being honest. Expecting that person to treat us in a godly way is unrealistic and we shouldn’t grumble about it. We live in a sinful world. Our point of reference should be that Jesus redeemed us and  now we are children of God, and everything else is unimportant in the light of that reality.