Scripture: Philippians 2:14-15
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...
Buckle your spiritual seatbelts, friends! Our text for this week's devotional is not only a challenge, it is our spiritual duty!
God has called us to stand out among the darkness of the world, and He has given us the "formula" for doing it. But just knowing the formula won't make it happen, as we are about to find out!
I cannot begin to tell you how many times in a given week I hear those six words!! I have to laugh, because it's either that, or "How did you do that??" that comes to me from the audiences for which I perform. And it's a reasonable thing to say such things after viewing one of my performances... because I will surely challenge the notion of, "seeing is believing".
I have discovered that there is one type of person who simply will not rest until they solve the puzzles of life. These are the same people who come up and ask me, "how did you do that?", and when I explain that I cannot reveal the secrets of my performances, they say, "well, I *know* how it was done!"
I resist the urge to ask them why they asked how it was done in the first place, and instead just smile, and try to carry on the conversation. This is often met with a follow-up statement in which the people try to explain to me, (the one who performed the illusion) exactly how they (the ones who were completely fooled by the illusion) believe it was done! And I have to tell you - some of the explanations I have heard are better tricks than I know how to do!!
There comes a time in such a conversation that I deem it necessary to remind the people that "knowing how" something is done is only a very small part of being able to do it. An example from my program is the performance of an illusion known as the "Linking Rings". I have known "how" to do the illusion of the rings for a great majority of my life... but it took me no less than 5 years of persistent practice, and quite a bit of hounding from my mentor in order for me to get to the point where I felt comfortable presenting this illusion before an audience. The fact is, the rings are one of the most technically difficult illusions to perform well... and knowing the secret is NOTHING compared to executing the moves to make the illusion happen.
This very same principal can be applied to the text we are looking at today! The Lord tells us, through Paul, that we are to do EVERYTHING without complaining or arguing. Note that the text does not read "most things", or "some things", or even "just the things you really like to do"... but in fact, it reads, "EVERYTHING".
The rationale, or purpose for this command is presented in the words that follow... we are to do so in order to become blameless, pure children of God without fault. It all seems so logical, and yet, perhaps the skeptic within me cries out that the majority of people (myself included many times), will read these words, nod their head in deep spiritual agreement, and then go on about their business as usual.
"It's too hard", or "That's an unreasonable goal" might be some of the inner thoughts that cross our minds in the split second it takes to assess the situation, and then deem it impossible. But friends, I am here to remind us all that when God calls us to a particular task, (in this case, having a proper attitude), He will supply EVERYTHING necessary to follow through!! It is not impossible, and I have proof! Check out Luke 1:37, Luke 18:27 and Phil. 4:13 in your free time (i.e. right now), and see the common thread! The key to these verses, (and the rest of life) is the phrase... "THROUGH CHRIST", or "WITH GOD".
The text we are reading today reminds us that as Christians, we are like shining stars in the universe. Perhaps a heartfelt attitude check will help some of us shine just a little bit brighter!
Prayer: Lord, there have been times when my attitude has been anything but positive. I find myself complaining about so many things, and today Lord, I wish to seek your forgiveness. Please help me to keep all things in their proper perspective, and I will become that shining star that You created me to be. In Jesus' name, Amen!
If you read this devotional, and realized that there is something separating you and the Lord... there are several things you can do.
God bless you as you seek to know Him in a deeper way!
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Eric Reamer is an evangelist, and full time Christian Illusionist. If you enjoy this devotional, please e-mail Eric at: Eric@IllustratedIllusions.com.
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