Conquering Our Complaining Hearts

Paul challenges us to do everything "without complaining or arguing" (Phil. 2:14).  We live in a society and world where complaining seems a right to one and all.  Most of us probably have received our share of complaints from people who have their own ideas and thoughts about how a ministry or activity could better be run.  However, when we ask for their serious help they abandon us.  It frustrates many who are trying to minister to the needs of the local church.

In recent weeks all of us across most of North America have faced the challenges of the first hard winter in over a decade.  It has caused lower numbers in church attendance for over a month in many parts of our country. It is easy to get down when we are living for the numbers, but it amazes me how people continually resort to complaining.  Don't get me wrong, I am not making any plans to join the polar bear swim team.  I realize it is an adjustment for us to deal with the cold and snow, and some truly have had a hard time with getting out.  However, I was challenged after conversing with another pastor recently by how negative we and many other ministers have become with the weather.

I think that it reveals a deeper issue in most of our hearts, which really has to do with pride.  We get used to our numbers growing, or at least staying steady.  When the numbers go down and we have no way to control things, like the weather, then we tend to complain.  God is still God, and He remains in control of the weather.  We speak of the good blessings of God raining on the just and the unjust alike, but it also snows on the just and the unjust alike.  We and our neighbors are all in the same place.

Instead of living in a place of complaint, maybe we need to come together with those who are able to gather, and still focus on "whatever is pure, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, and whatever is admirable" (Phil. 4:8).  The truth is when we keep our eyes on what we have to be grateful for, and looking at what is good in our world and community we can restore the joy of our soul.  May our hearts and minds be filled with the good God is doing, instead of the momentary struggles we may be facing.  In His strength we will remain steady.

- Keep on your journey faithfully

Pass God's Blessing as You Go

Matthew 10:12-13 reminds us that as we go about spreading the hope of the Kingdom of God we are to go among and be a part of the life of those we witness to. We are to pass a blessing on to the "houses we stay in." This really means a lot to us as ministers. We are invited into the fellowship of a church to be a blessing of God to the people, whom He calls us to. We should keep these words of passing God's blessings in mind, and before us always.

For some ministers this means reevaluating how we relate to those who are serving along side us, and those we are responsible for training under our direction. We are to help people grow in the way God would desire, and not lord our personal opinions or directions over people. This may mean slowing down plans in order for people to catch up. It may mean spending sleepless nights in care of those who are in need. We may be called to bless others in being faithful with our lives and witness before men in how our work ethic is lived out. There are numerous ways which God may call us to serve those we are called to serve.

We must take time evaluate ourselves, our witness, and whether we are blessing others in our ministry. The New Year offers a thought of new beginnings. I pray that we can all better serve and follow Christ in His great example.