Dearly Beloved

Dearly Beloved,

Hi, I’m Mike, and I’m a complainer … (but I’m in recovery!)
 
Lately, I’ve been thinking more about the kind of traits that are common among the people I admire most.
 
Do you know one of the traits that none of the people I deeply respect have? They’re not complainers.
 
I’ve been giving some consideration to changing my thinking, attitudes, and speaking so that I can follow after their great examples. I need God’s help! 
 
When our kids were little, it used to drive me up the wall when they would start complaining. It was so easy to spot their immaturity. Problem was, it made me want to complain!
 
I think we’d all agree that one of the traits of our culture is consumerism, and I have a theory that a consumer culture creates complainers.
 
When you read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, do you see any evidence …anywhere… of Jesus complaining? Don’t you think He might almost have a right to complain a little? Yet, I can’t seem to pick up a trace of that kind of attitude from Him. Can you?
 
Listen to His heart and attitude when He says, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life up as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20.28)
 
Let’s consider the kind of expectations Jesus had when He came to Earth:

• He came expecting not to be served by others
• He came expecting to serve
• He came expecting that people were a mess
• He came expecting that the way to help people was self-giving and sacrificial love (giving up His life)

• What are my expectations like?
• Are my expectations more aligned with culture or with Jesus?
• What is one thing Jesus would do today if He was in my situation?

Pastor Mike

Ps – this Sunday we begin a new teaching series from the book of 2 Peter! You should read this (short) book of the Bible before Sunday and come curious.