God's calling you and me to be stars. No, not literal stars in the night sky as some people poetically claim happens when a loved one dies. (Just wanted to clear that up since I have friends and family who are deathly afraid of heights. But, then, I guess the "deathly" part wouldn't matter at that point.)
And don't get too excited because He didn't call us to be movie stars or rock stars who become so detached from the real world that earthly rules don't apply. However, if God HAS called you to act or to rock and roll for Him, keep the phone close and charged. Those talent scouts don't keep calling.
Still, God calls us to be stars in Philippians 2:14-15. He also provides the polishing cloth and solution to shine more brightly. Get ready, this is going to hurt me more than it hurts you: "Do everything without complaining or arguing." OUCH!!
Nick reminded me the other day that the tongue is the strongest muscle in the body, able to leap the greatest efforts toward peace-making in a single word, stronger than the sword at cutting someone's faith in half, and faster than wildfire when spreading gossip. The tongue, when under the control of a bitter heart, uses inflammatory speech, sarcasm, divisive smears, and snide remarks. Any growing Christian accepts that these are sinful ways to use the tongue, but how seriously do we take the command not to argue and not to complain? I submit that somehow we think we can be shiny stars for Jesus in spite of constantly spewing negative words.
When we complain we're saying we think God is unfair or unkind. It also kills our witness. When's the last time you heard someone testify, "Bubba has been a shining example of Christ's love to me when he's not argumentative or cantankerous."
I believe most of us are blind to role complaining and arguing play in our personalities and conversations. Most of us don't realize we have a problem. I'm guilty as charged about venting my list of complaints and then realizing how it sounds and tacking on the words "But God is good." Yes, He is and He's calling me to vent to Him in trust instead of darkening the world for my friends, family and acquaintances.
Father, forgive us when we'd rather receive star treatment than be the shining examples of faith, contentment and peace You call us to be. We want to be "blameless and pure" but that sounds as impossible as touching one of the stars You created, named and placed in the heavens. Polish off any layers of negativity that lead others to doubt Your goodness. May our speech reflect Your loving care. May we find the relief and release we need in Your Presence instead of venting to friends or taking our unhappiness out on family members. Guide us to use our tongues to sing Your love song, laugh with joy, forgive those who offend us and lift one another's loads. Make us sparkle and radiate Your Spirit from our hearts out through our tongues and fingertips.
In the name of Jesus, the Bright and Morning Star!
In the name of Jesus, the Bright and Morning Star!
"Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." Philippians 2:14-15
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