Do everything without grumbling or arguing…
Philippians 2:14 NIV
Without Grumbling
So much has happened in our world and country over the past year that it is hard to remember what we were most upset about as Canadians just two years back in 2023. So, to remind you what we were grumbling about back then, a poll taken at the time reported “Pollara notes that a record 70% of Canadians are, “angry or frustrated about what they’re seeing on the news. : To that end, there were high levels of anger about the war in Ukraine (79%) and the conflict in Israel and Gaza (78%).
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I’m not usually given to grumbling, but if I don’t get enough sleep or if I have too much on my calendar, I can get grumpy. Most people don’t see it, but my wife does, and my long-term colleagues do. I feel badly about it, and those closest to me will tell me when I need to take a day off – I’m grateful for friends like that. Because grumbling is not a fruit of the Spirit. In fact, Philippians 2:14 says, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing…” There is no out here – we are to do everything we do without grumbling about it or arguing about it. I’ve been in Christian leadership long enough to know just how much grumbling goes on, and arguing about secondary matters – the music is too loud, or they didn’t sing my favourite song, or the leader didn’t thank me, or … I could go on and on. I’ve heard it all. Paul says to stop it. The antidote is to keep our eyes on Jesus and on His call on our lives. When we do, everything else pales in comparison.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley