Lesson Two • Gather
Devotion #4: Attitude Adjustment
Kendall Hine
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16
Okay, I will admit it, I was feisty as a little kid. Some may argue that not much has changed, but that is beside the point. When I was upset as a little kid, I would make sure everyone knew it. I would mope around, sulk, complain, and have very charismatic facial expressions. Every time I would give my very theatrical performance, I was humbled very quickly by my parents. They would sit me down and always say the same phrase, “Kendall, you need an attitude adjustment.”
Do you know someone that still needs to be told that they need an attitude adjustment? Is it that coworker that always has a new complaint and can never seem to muster up a positive attitude? Now, let me make it more personal. Are you that person at work? Christians, more often than not, need an attitude adjustment. God gives us just that in Philippians 2:14-16, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”
I do not know about you, but that verse is extremely convicting. I find myself so often seeing God’s blessings in my life as an opportunity to complain. This is the homework that comes along with the education I am so fortunate to receive. I often grumble about it. Is it because of those difficult tasks at the wonderful job I have? Yes, I find myself complaining about those too. If you can see my point here, we are blessed with so much from a loving and caring Father, yet we have an attitude of thanklessness rather than gratitude. How much more productive for the Kingdom of God would we be if we changed our mindset and held our tongues?
Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:1, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” In your workplace, walk worthy. In your school, walk worthy. As Christians, our conduct should look drastically different from those around us. We are called to be the salt and the light of the Earth (Matthew 5:13-14). In order to do that we have to look, talk, and act contrary to our flesh. Today church, let us speak with gratitude and life rather than complaints.