Philippians 2:14-16
Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Then you will be the pure and innocent children of God. You live among people who are crooked and evil, but you must not do anything that they can say is wrong. Try to shine as lights among the people of this world, as you hold firmly to the message that gives life. Then on the day when Christ returns, I can take pride in you. I can also know that my work and efforts were not useless.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ve been watching episodes of CBS’s Undercover Boss. Inevitably, the “boss” will go undercover and be paired with an employee who has a job that is either incredibly hard, boring, physically or mentally challenging, or a combination of all of these. Yet the employee does the work with a smile, enthusiasm, and a great attitude.
More than once, the “boss” has discovered that this cheerful employee also had a lot to be unhappy or unpleasant about away from the job. As if his/her work wasn’t difficult enough, the employee had to go home to a child or spouse with an illness, a sub-standard living situation or several hungry children, or some other challenge. One 26-year-old motel clerk with a 10-year-old son said her mom kicked her out of the house the day she announced she was pregnant. The “boss” asked, “Where did you live?” She replied, “For quite a while, I lived in my car.”
Similar stories are prevalent on other television shows. And we wonder, “How do these people continue to live such lives of joy, enthusiasm, positive energy, and determination in the midst of these incredible odds?” Could it be that these folks have tapped into the power of Philippians 2:14-16?
Maybe these people have learned, like the Apostle Paul, to be content in whatever circumstances they find themselves. Maybe they have figured out that the worst day with Jesus is better than the best day without Him. Maybe they understand that we are called to serve Jesus Christ… to go into the world and share His message with others… to set the example for truly living in Him.
Every one of us has days when we don’t really want to get up and “do it all over again.” We all have times when there are things we would rather not do… like work, school, housekeeping, yard maintenance, and other chores. There are moments when life is boring at best, or downright drudgery. There are events we don’t want to attend, people we don’t want to be around, and choices we don’t want to have to make.
But in the life of a Christian, grumbling and arguing, complaining and misbehaving are really not part of the deal. If we want to truly make Jesus proud… if we honestly want to bring Him joy and honor His sacrifice… we must shine as lights among the other people in this world, as we hold firmly to His message of salvation and Eternal Life. Living this way isn’t easy, for sure. But the “stakes” are high – and the reward is great. And the more we begin to operate in joy and contentment - “no matter our circumstances”… the more we begin to focus on pleasing and serving Jesus, the easier it gets.
Isn’t it worth a shot? Don’t you want to honor Jesus and make Him proud? Are you willing to try? If Jesus is your “Undercover Boss”… are you working for Him with a smile and a “can-do” attitude?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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