the joshschuler experiment

This morning, I’m killing two birds with one stone. The following entry is something I wrote for a devotional found here.

This weekend in our worship services at CFC our teaching will come from 1 Peter. As we prepare for the weekend, consider the following passage which will feature in the message:

1 Peter 4:7-11 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self‑controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Think about an unfavorable situation you are in. Maybe you have tension with a co-worker. Or, perhaps the organization you work for stubs it’s toes more than it strides. Maybe you have strife with a parent, or a spouse. Or, it could be that your health is failing.

Why is it that our default setting is always to blame the circumstances or others? Why is it that when we see shortcomings in others, organizations, bosses, friends, or governments, our default response is to stand on the sideline and point fingers?

I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest that in every one of these circumstances, there is a problem. The problem is us. It’s you and me.

If we really read that passage above. If we chewed on it, and we savored the wisdom in it, we’d have a path forward that is more fulfilling than complaining that something is broken.

What if your circumstance doesn’t change? What if your boss never affirms your work? What if your family members remain hostile? What if your health doesn’t improve?

You have a powerful, life-changing tool to use in these circumstances. That tool is our attitude.

I know far too many people who walk around with a chip on their shoulder (I used to be one of them) waiting for someone else to fix the circumstances. All the while, there was something powerful each of us could do that would change the situation immediately, it’s an attitude adjustment.

What if we adopted clear minds and we exhibited self-control? What if we choose to love deeply? What if we choose to offer hospitality to one another without grumbling? What if instead of waiting on someone else, we used whatever gift we had to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms? I believe it would change everything!

Spend some time today considering this new path, this new attitude, and pray for it to become reality, in us first, and then in others.

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