Don’t Gamble With A Grumble, Pray for God’s Will to Overspill – Into Joyous Action
Word-Of-The-Day: ‘Do everything without grumbling or arguing.’ (Philippians 2:14)
All of us have those moments where we are about to something we don’t want to do. We don’t want to pull weeds, or wash the dishes, or do the laundry. We may have a job that takes a bit of effort to get enthusiastic about. This is normal and we see the extreme example of Jesus praying to God the Father in Luke 22:42, asking that ‘this cup be taken away, but if not let your will be done.’ Jesus did not want to go the cross, to be beaten and humiliated on His way there.
But Jesus didn’t complain or grumble when God said ‘no’. Jesus willingly allowed Himself to be arrested and led to Golgotha to be crucified. We also need to understand that there are things we don’t want to do but we need to do them. Most are not as terrifying or as critical as Jesus’ decision to choose the cross, but His example in the ‘big event’ is something we should do in our own personal ‘little events’. We have responsibilities that depend on us to do that which we may not want to do, but we should do them with a heart of joy, not fighting against it like Jonah sailing away to avoid preaching in Ninevah.
God’s plans may not always place us in our comfort zone. We want to have the easy button, and have things done in a way that pleases us, but not all that which God asks of us in easy or initially pleasing to us. However, it is in doing His work – no matter how uncomfortable it is – that will provide us ultimate joy. Joy is not happiness, but contentment within God’s plans. It may not be until after the task is complete that we see and experience that Joy.
Like Jesus’ example, if you are having trouble getting something accomplished, pray to Him for the strength and the push to provide you the means to get the task done. It may be mundane like doing dishes, or it may be for the Lord’s purpose like witnessing. Ask others to provide encouragement; it is important that those who you fellowship with to have the ability to pray with you, lend a hand or give you that nudge to set you in motion. After the task is complete, the satisfaction in accomplishing it is where Joy should come from. Again, the example of Jonah is of someone who refused to see the Joy in what he was able to accomplish, providing the Word that brought many people to Faith in God.
Don’t let a negative attitude, or fear, or a reluctance stop you from doing what is necessary; don’t let those same feelings rob you of Joy when the task is completed! Let Jesus fill you with satisfying Joy!
