Daily Power #87

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure. (Phil. 2:14–15)

When I was in college, I worked each summer to make money for the next school year. What I remember most about those thankless jobs is how much they taught me about the importance of attitude. I discovered that washing dishes or working the front desk could be fun if your coworkers had positive attitudes and gave themselves to the task at hand.

Similarly, even easy jobs seemed tedious and frustrating when the people around me grumbled and criticized everything.

Sure, it’s tempting to complain when faced with doing something we don’t like to do. We’ve all worked jobs that had to be done while making sure the people around us knew how we felt about it.

Whether a menial chore at home or drudge work at the office, we do it, but we also want everyone else to notice us, acknowledge us, or admire us. Maybe we talk the whole time we’re doing it, calling attention to ourselves and the great sacrifice we’re making.

As we mature, however, we realize that these attitudes do not glorify God or reflect his generous, loving character. When we grumble, complain, whine, and bicker, we’re allowing opportunities for strife, competition, comparison, and bitterness to creep in.

We’re focusing more on our comfort and selfish desires than on serving others with a Christlike spirit.

Today try doing everything as if you were doing it for the Lord. Perform your job the way Jesus would, humbly yet confidently.

Power Lift

God, I offer you my heart, hands, and resources today. Anything I do, I want it to be a sacrificial gift of service, not an opportunity to boost my ego or show off my abilities.