Like Stars in the Sky

Philippians 2:14-15 "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."

Read that closely one more time...Okay, did it hit you as hard as it did me? There are so many awesome tidbits of wisdom in that passage of scripture. It is hard to even know where to begin. My husband and I talk a lot about trying not to argue in front of people because our marriage is a ministry that is supposed to show God's love to others. He and I both feel that a marriage should be the one thing on the planet that radiates the love of God and portrays it closer than anything else. However, we are not always successful. Actually, we are far from successful! This passage of scripture is a very clear reminder of this. "Do everything without grumbling or arguing." What? Everything? Even clean up the mess he made in the kitchen? Even pick his towel up off the floor that he laid directly beside of the hamper rather than in it? Even scratching his head while all he is doing is watching TV and I am trying to read for school? Even that...Seriously? Even school, without grumbling? REALLY?

Well....yes.

That is hard to swallow and it is just the first half of the first scripture in this passage. Even when we feel we are not being appreciated or we are asked to do something that we really don't have time or just don't want to do, we should do it anyway and do it without grumbling or arguing so that we can become pure and blameless and without fault in a warped and crooked generation and also so that we will shine among our warped generation like stars in the sky. Yes, I am preaching to myself! I can't tell you how often I do something that I really didn't want to have to do and instead of being appreciative that God gave me arms that work to be able to scratch Brent's head and pick up his towel, I grumble and complain the whole time I'm doing it because, "I shouldn't have to do it." Well, today that stops! Or at least I am going to try to make it stop. For a couple of reasons it stops.

Reason (1) I need to be thankful I have the ability to do it
             (2) I need to be thankful for the people I am doing it for (whatever it is and whoever they are)
             (3) "I shouldn't have to" is quite frankly the most selfish thing that has probably ever crossed my mind or came out of my mouth. Jesus didn't have to die a miserable, brutal death (and He really didn't have to) BUT HE DID! For some people who wouldn't even be born, like this warped generation, for 2,000+ years to come! Who am I to say "I shouldn't have to" do anything? and last but certainly not least;
            (4) The end of that passage of scripture says, "Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky." WOW! Imagine what witnesses we could be if we could quit grumbling and arguing. We would then shine among a crooked, twisted, wicked, warped generation like stars in the sky. Isn't that what we are called to do anyway? That is our whole purpose in this world. To show God's love to a warped and crooked generation and to shine that love like stars in the sky and unfortunately we are too concerned about ourselves and our selfish motives that we argue and grumble more than we speak love, joy, peace, grace, mercy, forgiveness, gospel, good news,  JESUS!

I plan on memorizing this passage of scripture and next time I am tempted to grumble and complain I am going to remind myself that Jesus went through a lot worse than I might be temporarily dealing with at the moment. I'll also remind myself that there is no way I can show all of God's amazing qualities through me when I am exhibiting characteristics that contradict Him, like grumbling and arguing.

My prayer today:
Jesus, thank you for your grace and mercy and forgiveness.
Thank you for loving me through all of those rough qualities and for giving me so much when I don't deserve anything.
Thank you that grace is not fair because if it was, I would be in trouble!
Help me let go of the selfish attitude and help me be more like you with a servant's heart and mind.
Help me remember that it is not all about me and there is such a greater purpose.
Help me shine for you like the stars in the sky and reach a generation that is crooked and warped.
I love you, Lord! Today is all yours, I give it to you.
In your name I pray.

Amen.

xoxo,
Em