My wife and I flew to Raleigh through a short
layover in Detroit this morning. Now go ahead, ask me how my flight went? That
is where this problem and great grace begin.
Living in New York is full of complexity, as
such a common and favorite conversation topic is to gripe to fellow New
Yorkers, acquainted or not, about life’s hiccups. “How was your weekend?”
Great, restful and got my errands done. I just wish I hadn't been stuck for an
hour on the Costco check-out line. Oh yeah? That's the worse, I”…. And you know
the rest. It's a never ending cycle of complaining. Even in the best light, it
is an attempt to find common ground, but in reality, a fist shake at God.
Whoa Tom, whoa. Just because I share my
mishaps doesn't mean I am complaining. No, not necessarily, but if you examine
your speaking pattern, what do you observe? Is it a heart of thankfulness (Eph.
5:20), or murmuring (Mal. 3:14)?
I write this because the Lord illuminated this
sin area in my life the last time we were in North Carolina. Last month my
family was blessed to spend a week with godly saints. An elder and his wife of 42
years. God convicted me by observing their conduct, specifically their speech,
not only was it seasoned with grace but strikingly, thanksgiving.
I'm thankful Tom! I know the Lord saved me out
of His good pleasure, for His glory. I am grateful for that, for my family,
life and home church. Great! But does it ooze out? Is it a defining
characteristic of your speech, your demeanor? If a group of people close to you
were asked to describe your bent, would they say you are a complainer or full
of thanksgiving?
Let's couch this in theology. God is the
author of everything, He either causes or permits everything you and others
say, do, think and feel. He controls and has ordained all things and
circumstances. With that in mind, go back to the hour wait on the Costco line.
What was the point? Where is your heart, where is your mind during these
situations? Probably not stayed on Him.
Two minutes from landing I am reflecting on
the things as we go to be picked up by this same godly couple. What will I say
when asked, how was your flight?
