One of the points that came out of the Bible research and message last Sunday was that “Complainers Miss Out”. To be clear, that point didn’t come out of a personal desire to talk about it but rather a refusal to “skip over” a part of Scripture just because it was uncomfortable to talk about. I personally am committed to proclaiming the “whole counsel” of God and therefore when going through a book of the Bible or character study, I will not neglect to speak on something that is there in God’s Word on His purpose just because it’s not popular to talk about. My heart Sunday with that particular point was one of compassion for those who do complain — as I look back on ministry, life and relationships, I’ve noticed that complainers seem to continually “miss out” which is always a bummer to me. I know when I’ve complained I lose joy in life and my perspective seems to go to what I don’t have or used to have instead of seeing what I do have and the ways God is moving. So my heart Sunday was to encourage those who may have that spirit to realize not that they are “bad” but that they could be “missing out” which is always a bummer. I think of how many days, weeks, months I’ve “wasted” complaining about where I wish I was or once was etc.
Now, I’m someone who hears comments from time to time, but I feel like it’s often not my place to judge whether or not that’s a complaint, because a complaint is more of a heart issue and only God can clearly see a heart – we can see the external and often times the “fruit” or the external can point us to what seems to be the heart, but we never know for sure. Add to this how Jeremiah says that our heart is deceitful above all things and you wonder, can I even know my own heart, whether it’s a heart of complaint or one of desiring God’s will and God’s best?
And even to look at the Moses/Aaron, Israelite stories — in some ways you could say, Moses Father-in-law, Jethro was complaining to Moses because Moses was working too hard and trying to do too many things that Moses was potentially hindering God’s mission’s effectiveness. But I see Jethro’s “complaints” or “comments” as actually helpful! That’s because Jethro’s focus was on God’s mission and helping Moses (God’s choice for leader) to fulfill what God called him to do. So for any of us to view a “comment” as complaint wouldn’t be the wisest since a person may actually be helping us better accomplish God’s mission and vision!
So I got to thinking about these Israelites and I wonder if some personal reflection questions may be helpful in all of our journeys to at least move us toward a better understanding of ourselves and God’s leading in our lives? Here’s some questions I would ask myself (in the context of prayer and reflection with God and His Word):
1. Is the “issue” I want to share or comment about based on something in me? A personal preference, method or idea I like? Or the issue based on God’s mission and seeing it move forward with the people who He’s called to fulfill His mission? (if it’s the first, it’s probably more of a complaint than helpful)
2. Is my issue because of something that is out of my “comfort zone” and is my comment meant to restore to me “comfort” or is it a desire to trust God in the uncomfortableness and follow Him? (The Israelites were uncomfortable with not knowing what was next or how they would be provided for and therefore they complained)
3. Is my issue really an issue of trust in the leadership God has called or with God Himself? Or is it trying to support what God is doing? (I’m amazed how many times this issue is what it boiled down to with me personally, I just didn’t want to trust and follow and therefore I “complained” about other things but the real issue was trust.)
4. Is my heart to see God’s mission/purpose move forward regardless of me personally and would me sharing this with others “build them up according to their needs” and God’s work in their lives?
Since this is a church blog — as I think about this issue applied to church life…I personally have not heard a ton of “comments” – I’ve had some questions or confusions which I’ve sought to clarify – I’ve had some people dislike and be upset about certain things but there hasn’t been lots of people who’ve come to me and even those who have, I can’t say they were “complaining” because I don’t know their heart — is it trusting? Following? Wishing God’s best? Or is it personal uncomfortableness? I don’t know that – so I’ve sought to just learn from everyone who’s shared with me – I pray about the comments I get and continue to seek God’s direction. I will say as a leader there is always a temptation to want to be “liked”, to want to “not upset” and at times that temptation can be really strong — and I won’t say there haven’t been times where I’ve chosen not to do something or to do something to avoid upsetting someone — but in my recent time with God in prayer, I’ve resolved in the best ways I can to remain utterly dependent on God, continually on my face in prayer, humble in leadership and regularly both publically and privately confessing our need to be “in Christ” and to lead out of that relationship. As a leader, I realize I don’t feel at all “worthy” of being followed, but if God places a leader then the people He leads are actually following (or not following) God, not that person. In some ways I wish God would accomplish His plan through His angels instead of using fallible, inadequate, ordinary human beings — but He’s God, and He set it up this way and so I will seek to follow Him and confidently, boldly boast in my weakness and lead in His strength.
Complaining, I’m realizing, is a heart issue, and one we all need to continually reflect on and surrender to God in — but I do know this — God has an amazing adventure of faith in store for those who are willing to follow Him even though, like the Israelites, they are unsure, uncomfortable and moving into an area of “unknown”.
God Bless you on your journey with God and your heart reflection before Him….I pray He is ultimately glorified in how we surrender and how we live our day to day. To God belongs the glory!
