Philippians

Never Complain.
Embrace where you are as an intrinsic part of God’s Good future
for you and for the world.

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may . . .
shine like stars in the universe” Philippians 2:14-15  

“I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."  
Philippians 3:12

Reflect

Do you know any “shining stars”? Why not list them right now? In a column to the left list their names and in a column to the right write what makes them shine. It could be a smile, an attitude that exudes joy, something about them that communicates that their life isn’t “about them”. It could be that you notice that they never complain. Maybe you notice that they are even naively “polyanna-ish”, yet you find that to be incredibly attractive.

Further, do you know people who have “taken hold of that for which Christ Jesus has taken hold of them”? I suspect they shine like stars in the universe, too. They probably have an attractive sense of purpose, joy and lack of self absorption.

Do you argue and complain and thereby “dull your shine”? Have you accepted the reality that God has taken hold of you for something unique and which will bring you joy if you will only embrace it? Wouldn’t you like to become a person whom others would describe in these two incredible verses?

I don’t think these verses would be in the Bible if that were not just as possible for you as for anyone else.