(Philippians 2:14-16)  Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation (see Deuteronomy 32:5).”  Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life…

I’m not a person who likes to argue, but I can sure grumble at times.  Unfortunately, grumbling often causes me to wind up in an argument.   You’d think I’d learn.  As an older man, I find that there’s a lot to grumble about.  Tiredness, pain, and deteriorating senses can open a lot of doors for grumping.

In verses 3 and 4 of Philippians chapter 2, Paul tells us how to avoid succumbing to the temptation to grumble and argue.    “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”  Paul then continues by reminding us that Jesus lived out the example of looking to the interests of others.

I find when I get all about myself that the tiredness increases, the pain is more intense, and my diminishing ability to hear and see is depressing.  When I’m looking to others, I’m less tired, the pain is not so obvious, and my sensory deficits become comedy relief.  I’m always amazed how this changing of perspective, seeing things the way Jesus does, produces greater blessing and makes me a nicer person.

In light of what Jesus did for us, and his command to love one another, I find that I have great incentive to take Paul’s admonition seriously.   After all, I am a child of God.  Grumbling and arguing makes me a dark cloud.  I’d rather be a shining star.