Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
Phil. 2:12-15
I Guess My Mom was Right, and Chewy is a Great Example of it!!!
Phil. 2:12-15
I Guess My Mom was Right, and Chewy is a Great Example of it!!!
When I was young, my mother used to always say (in what I considered the most annoying voice), "Do everything without murmuring or complaining." I hated it. In fact, I think it made me want to complain, roll my eyes, and have a terrible attitude even more than before she said it. Nevertheless, I think my mom was on to something, and lately, her words continue to resonate in my head....
Life is full of frustrating times that challenge our character and the attitudes that we entertain. Rarely, do you see the pieces fall perfectly into place. For example, you find the perfect job--only to find that you will have a long commute, or you marry what seems like the perfect mate--only to find a hard time adjusting to the changes of living with someone. Sometimes, we call this taking the good with the bad. What's even more interesting and ironic is when we find ourselves in a GREAT place -- only to find ourselves tempted to complain. Like, losing a bunch of weight--only to complain that you have no clothes to wear. Or, like me, being asked to do something that could have the potential to be life-changing in so many ways--only to be upset and complaining because it is not exactly what (and the way) I wanted it. How spoiled we can get....
Throughout the Bible, we see many examples of how God feels about complaining, and it's never good. Consider the Israelites: Saved from the oppression of slavery and given a Promised land--only to complain along the journey. The Lord hates complaining! He expects obedience without this negativity, and in doing so, we not only found blameless but we also shine like the stars.
Chewy is a wonderful example of how to do this. I am constantly putting Chewy in costumes and treating him like my baby. I can see that this sometimes frustrates him, yet he is so good about letting me be entertained by him. I love the picture above because even though he didn't like that Halloween costume, he tried to put on a half smile for me and the camera. What an example!!!
No matter what circumstance you find yourself in at this point in your journey. Try to be like Chewy: Obey and Try to Put on a Smile for the World. And, oh, how you will shine and look beautiful to the Lord who has GREAT plans and purposes to fulfill through your situation.
Life is full of frustrating times that challenge our character and the attitudes that we entertain. Rarely, do you see the pieces fall perfectly into place. For example, you find the perfect job--only to find that you will have a long commute, or you marry what seems like the perfect mate--only to find a hard time adjusting to the changes of living with someone. Sometimes, we call this taking the good with the bad. What's even more interesting and ironic is when we find ourselves in a GREAT place -- only to find ourselves tempted to complain. Like, losing a bunch of weight--only to complain that you have no clothes to wear. Or, like me, being asked to do something that could have the potential to be life-changing in so many ways--only to be upset and complaining because it is not exactly what (and the way) I wanted it. How spoiled we can get....
Throughout the Bible, we see many examples of how God feels about complaining, and it's never good. Consider the Israelites: Saved from the oppression of slavery and given a Promised land--only to complain along the journey. The Lord hates complaining! He expects obedience without this negativity, and in doing so, we not only found blameless but we also shine like the stars.
Chewy is a wonderful example of how to do this. I am constantly putting Chewy in costumes and treating him like my baby. I can see that this sometimes frustrates him, yet he is so good about letting me be entertained by him. I love the picture above because even though he didn't like that Halloween costume, he tried to put on a half smile for me and the camera. What an example!!!
No matter what circumstance you find yourself in at this point in your journey. Try to be like Chewy: Obey and Try to Put on a Smile for the World. And, oh, how you will shine and look beautiful to the Lord who has GREAT plans and purposes to fulfill through your situation.
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