Have you ever been around a complainer — a negative, grumbling person who always finds fault?
Maybe you had a coworker who put a damper on everything? Or a family member who always “griped” about whatever was going on or what they had to do.
Have you ever asked someone to do a small task, chore or favor for you and heard a deep sigh, maybe saw an eye roll or aggravated expression?
How did you feel? You can even “catch” their attitude!
I remember when Daniel, our eldest, was little. I had asked him to pick up his toys he had been playing with in the living room. He sighed. He started walking across the floor with exaggerated motions, very slowly, as if he were underwater, or struggling to get through molasses!
“What are you doing, son?” I asked, truly wondering if he was playing a game or what.
“I’m going to do what you asked,” he said, “but I’m going to do it slow!”
What an attitude! Does God want us to obey Him slowly?
Then along came Andrew, our second son, who had Saturday chores to do since Gary and I both worked, and wanted the boys to know how to do things around the house and help out.
He had to clean the guest bathroom that Saturday; a bright and lovely day.
I heard strange conversations coming from the hallway. I came closer to check it out.
I looked in the open bathroom door and saw two of Andrew’s friends busy cleaning! One had a brush and cleaner and was busy cleaning the toilet! The other had spray cleaner and was wiping out the sink!
“Hi, kids, what’s going on?” I asked.
“Oh, hi, Mrs. Bunch. We’re doing Andrew’s chores so he can come out and play!”
I didn’t know if he was smart at delegating tasks, or a little charming con artist.
How we react to the world, people and duties around us tells a great deal about us, our attitudes, how we feel about work, the people we do things for and our willingness to help others out.
Do we delay acting on God’s will expecting someone else to do it?
Ephesians tells us in chapter 2:14-15: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation,’ then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”
Isn’t that a beautiful, refreshing image and truth?
In contrast, James 4:17 says, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” Could this “not doing good” be our delaying to do what we know we should do for God and others?
John 5:17 says, “But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father is working until now, and I am working.’”
OK, then!
Be like God and Jesus!
Hush the complaining, and get to work!
