The Long End and Complaining
Good Morning,
Warning: Rubber is getting ready to hit the road.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had…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. Phil. 2:5;14-15
Saturday Night Live used to have a skit called “The Whiners”. It depicts a couple who whines about everything in an incredibly annoying tone of voice. (You can find it on YouTube if you want to see it).
I’m quite sure that over the last two years SNL could have remade that skit just by visiting coffee shops, grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and it pains me to say it, churches. In fact, in talking to Pastors during the middle of COVID it is shocking to hear the things they had said to them by people in their body. To quote James 3:10, “Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!” Why? Because complaining and arguing do not emulate the character and attitude of Christ. Furthermore, it hurts the cause of Christ among unbelievers.
Chapter two of Philippians begins with a description of a Christ-centered attitude. It is one of humility, others first, and an exhortation for Kingdom-first living.
One of the biggest influences on others is what comes out of our mouths. It says a lot about what is at our core. This is true both for the words we say and the way we say them. And this goes way beyond swearing. It includes incessant complaining about other people, the government God has placed over us, the rules we are asked to follow and an inordinate desire to convince others we are right ahead of them seeing love, grace, and kindness in action.
In the verses above we are called to have our lives marked by the absence of such grumbling. In a world where arguing and complaining is rampant, to live in contrast is a magnificent opportunity to shine like “bright lights” everywhere we set foot. To live that way requires a keen awareness of the long end of the rope. The long end of the rope will change the thoughts that our minds dwell on and the things are heart is set on. It will help us see differences with others as a chance to show them unexpected and rarely seen forbearance. It will help us better choose what mountains to die on and help us focus on things that will ultimately matter for eternity. It will change the tone of our interactions with others.
I remember Pastor Ron Williams (https://pccfw.org) saying in a sermon years ago, ”Jesus always led with grace”. It was this grace that allowed Jesus to set the tone for many transformational conversations. Conversations that changed hearts. And conversations that would not have been possible if He had led with arguing or complaining.
What kind of conversations is your attitude making possible?
Questions to ponder this week:
1. What are the triggers that send you into arguing and complaining mode?
2. How could focusing on the long end of the rope provide a new filter for your words and attitude?
Live on purpose, Ron Klopfenstein, CPLC
