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Today's Lenten Devotion
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No Whining
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.
-- Philippians 2:14-16
Boy, does that sound like a tall order to fill. "Do everything without complaining." How many parents out there would give their eye teeth to, just occasionally, have their wishes fulfilled without argument or complaint. The ever popular "just 5 more minutes," or "do I have to?" replaced with obedience and compliance. Strangely enough, the day after I agreed to write this devotion, our aerobics instructor was shouting to all of us on the treadmills to "stop whining." Well, at my age, I have a choice. I can either go uphill, or I can go faster, just not both at the same time. One of my fellow aerobics participants said she didn't think of it as whining, just "conversing with the universe."
I have been extremely blessed to have had the opportunity to take an extended hiatus this past year. My almost 3 decades on Wall Street have been replaced with a much more idyllic setting and enjoyable endeavors.
The tall buildings, the noise of the traffic and the incredible crush of people have given way to solitary cross country skiing in serene woodlands, going to the beach (during the week, when you really can hear the sound of the waves lapping on the shore) and actually visiting with friends -- who really don't live that far away, (so much better than a phone call). I will admit to missing the rush of energy that I feel whenever I visit the City, but I'm adjusting.
While I thrived in the fast paced and competitive world of finance, I can tell you from first hand observation that success, and excess often lead to spiritual distraction. We've all seen it in the headlines. After all, we're living in the world of Enron, World Com and yes, Martha Stewart - -- our own "depraved generation," 2000 years after these verses were written.
I imagine the early Christians had their own distractions, even if they were far less high-tech. The wars they fought may not have been guided by precision instruments, but the result was the same. They certainly weren't mandated to take diversity training courses, as my colleagues and I were, but they learned from the Master how to "hold out the word of life."
Dear Lord, help us to show through the lives we live, that we truly are your children. Let your light shine through us, making us beacons of your goodness, mercy and love, like stars in the universe, holding out Your word of life.
Barbara Kris
bkkris@msn.com
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