Written by Wendy Neill, Advancement Coordinator for Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas
“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 as you hold out the word of life - in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.” (Phil. 2:14-16, NIV 1985)
I complain. I argue. I admit it. This is one of those lessons I might need more than you.
As I meditated on the theme of “Redefined by Holiness,” my thoughts turned to this verse. But I could only remember the middle part where it says “in which you shine like stars in the universe.” I pulled out my concordance to find the context of the verse, so I could remember what we do to shine like stars. The phrase “do everything without complaining or arguing” hit me like a sledgehammer. Oof.
But isn’t it true? Think of someone you know that rarely complains or argues. It might take you a minute because they are rare. Don’t they stand out as bright lights in the middle of all the griping and conflict in our world?
If we let God work in us to replace complaining with gratefulness, and arguing with humility, we will find ourselves redefined. The Word says we will be “blameless and pure...without fault.” Holy. Set apart. Like stars in the universe.
My favorite name for Jesus is “The Bright Morning Star” (Rev 22:16). In astronomy, the morning star refers to the brightness of Venus, the star Sirius, or Mercury when they appear in the east, right before sunrise. Jesus did not argue or complain about the mission God gave Him. He is the brightest star of all, and He will appear right before our eternal “sunrise.”
Do you struggle with complaining and arguing? Ask “The Bright Morning Star” and an Iron Rose Sister to help you this week. Then hold out that word of life and shine, Sister!