Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Really?!?

A nice sarcastic, "Really?!?" is how I start most of my complaints and arguments. 

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. (Philippians 2:14, 15 NLT)

These verses about complaining and arguing seem to refer back to the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, specifically to a prayer Moses. In Deuteronomy 32, Moses began his prayer by recounting the greatness of God. God is the Rock, His ways are perfect, all His way are just, and He is a faithful God who does no wrong. 

But sadly, Moses went on to lament that the people had acted corruptly toward God. No longer were they acting like God's children, but as a result of their complaining, they had become a warped and crooked generation. Moses asked, "Is this the way you repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Isn’t he your Father who created you? Has he not made you and established you?" (Deuteronomy 32:6 NLT)

Have you ever talked like that with one of your children? Something more like, "All the time and love I spend in taking care of you, providing for you, feeding you, doing your laundry, driving you around - and you think you can treat me like that? No way!" God had a much bigger stake in the lives of the children of Israel. He was not just their parent - He was their creator, and He was God! 

Although we don't like to hear our children complain and argue, we sometimes complain and argue ourselves. When we do, we lose some of our luster before a watching family and a watching world. May God help us stay away from complaining and arguing so that we will reflect Christ more effectively. 

Prayer: Father, please forgive us for complaining and arguing. Help us to remember that by doing this we are choosing to walk down a crooked path. Instead, may we be grateful and praise You, so that we will more effectively represent Christ to our children. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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