Last week I discussed the value of having a box—whether real or symbolic—into which we could put our grumblings and complaints so that we could “be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation” (Phil. 2:14a).

I found it interesting that if we just put away those two things what the result would be: Blameless. Innocent. Children of God without blemish.

But there is one more benefit for leaving our discontent unvoiced.

The second part of verse 14 extends the effect by saying--“among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

That made me think of a second box. A box that illustrates those attributes that the world will see and those we would like them to see as a result of our obedience to Jesus: generosity, peace, unity, thankfulness, gentleness, kindness—every fruit of the spirit.

So I have made myself another box, and in it I have placed a little light and a few of those attributes to look at each week as reminders of what I would like the world to see in me.

But most importantly, I need to remember the beginning of verse 16 which says, “holding fast to the word of life . . . ,” for the only way that those attributes will genuinely flow from me and be a light is if I am securely and constantly connected to the source—Jesus.

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel . . . Philippians 1:27

The whole world is watching.

We are studying the book of Philippians in our ladies’ Bible study. And while the primary theme of Philippians is joy (joy in serving Jesus, joy in the midst of trials) there is another underlying theme: The whole world is watching.

The world pretty much knows what Christians claim to believe. What they are waiting for is for our lives to contradict those beliefs.



Which is why Philippians 2:14-15a is so important.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation . . .

During our discussion, one of the ladies said that really all we need to do is just that--stop grumbling and disputing because when we do, look at what we get! Peace and unity. Another lady suggested that complaining shows a lack of trust in God. That we don't really believe He is in control. So just this one “policy decision” — not to grumble; not to dispute — can make all the difference.

The discussion also reminded me of Pandora and the infamous box which was left in her husband’s care. Her curiosity drove her to open it and when she did, the woes of the world escaped—never to be harnessed again.

I think we would all do well to have a little box so that when a grumbling or complaining thought comes to our mind or argumentative words work their way to our lips, we can write them down, put them in the box, close the lid, and let God take care of it. And despite our desire to do so, never open the box and take them back out.

If you really think about it, most of what would be in the box would be thoughts or actions fueled by resentment, anger, pettiness, pain, pride, or jealousy. Nothing remotely pleasing to God or edifying to those around us.

So whether you find a real box or just use a symbolic one, the process is the same—put a lid on it.

We’re all getting older. (Hello, Captain Obvious.) And regardless of which side of the 50-hump you are on, with age comes change. Change in activities. Change in abilities. Change in health.

At times, looking into the future at what might lie ahead can be a bit daunting or discouraging, especially if it involves an uncertainty of what you will do or curtailing or abandoning some activities that you have always enjoyed doing.

I have talked to many who have had life-altering changes . . . whether retirement, death of a loved one for whom they were the main care taker, loss of a job, loss of health . . . and with each is that immediate loss of purpose, which is tough.

But a recent encounter with a childhood birthday gift gave me a new perspective on handling the future.

Growing up, my family, like many, had a very limited income. I remember going grocery shopping with my mother. She always had an envelop of money labeled groceries, a list, and four stores she would frequent each week in order. She would buy only what was on the list, and mostly what was on sale. She budgeted down to the penny, and when one store overcharged her a penny, she called them out on it. (Pennies in the sixties had quite a bit of worth.)

Because of these financial restrictions, my parents set boundaries on our gift expectations. We could expect certain gifts at certain times. For instance, our first watch came at our eight grade graduation. Our first typewriter (yes, we used those) at high school graduation. Our first NEW bike, and only new bike, came when we were nine.

I have managed to hang on to that bike, only because my sister has kept it for the past thirty years and just recently asked if I wanted it back because she couldn’t get a tire/tube for a 1965 Schwinn that would hold air.

I took it, mainly for sentimental reasons, and thought about trying to find that elusive tire/tube combination that would work, but finally realized that even if I did, the chance of ever riding that bike again was miniscule. I have since moved on to one that has enough granny gears to get me up Everest.

So what to do? Was the bike obsolete?

No. It wasn’t. It still held memories for me. It still had meaning. It still had value. It still had purpose.

It no longer traverses streets or powers up hills or takes me on adventures, but, as you can see, it now sits in my front yard, holding flowers and providing a point of beauty for me and for those around me. And there is still more potential in what this old bike can provide. (Maybe a small basket on the back? A garland of flowers through the spokes?)

What I have learned is that if we embrace the changes, we will be pleasantly surprised   
by what God can produce through us. And trust me, though we may not have the same purpose we had before, He will always create a new thing of beauty.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

We should have been playing golf. It was late February and the Monday before it had been 80 degrees. But today was stormy and the prediction was for snow . . . an event we get only occasionally. So twenty-five women golfers under the direction of two of their own who are very talented and artistic (and left-handed . . . I’m sure that has something to do with it) were trying something new—a paint pour.

The concept is not difficult. You chose a base color—black or white—then choose three more colors, which you prepare in separate cups with a thinner and a bit of water and a lot of stirring. Then you pour each of these into the cup with the base color, one at a time, add two drops of oil, place a canvas on top of the cup, then turn it over, remove the cup, and let the paint slide over the canvas.

The colors both mix and remain distinct as it moves across the canvas.

While you may have chosen the colors and are able to do some manipulation, like tilt the canvas one way or another so that certain colors move in a certain direction, the final product is ultimately not one of your own creation. Gravity and paint have control.

The final step is to take a small blow torch to it (from a distance mind you) and heat the air bubbles (cells) until they pop, revealing even more color.

We were warned about one major don’t and cautioned on another. Don’t start with a both black and white base as you will end up with mud, and if you are concerned about your color choices, then ask, as—once again—certain combinations could end up with just a muddy color.

I found this activity an apt parallel for life as a Christian. God has given us a few definitive don’ts and some additional cautions. If not followed, life can get very muddy. We make choices the best we can, and if we are unsure, we seek the answers—in the Bible, through prayer, via trusted mentors. He will sometimes also put the heat of adversity to it to reveal even more beauty.

But there is one major difference.

Whereas disregarding the instructors directions or making poor color choices can lead to an unattractive result where very little can be done, God (as Romans 8:28 says and Ecclesiastes 3:11 suggests) can take my choices, made out of love for Him even if they are not perfect, and create something beautiful out of it.

No analogy can ever be perfect, especially when trying to compare an earthy world with an eternal God, but I am always comforted that God provides these concrete examples so that my finite little mind can connect with his incomprehensible ways.

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another (Romans 12:4-5).

I kind of know what my brother did and my sister does for work . . . well . . . kind of.

My brother worked for a government agency, first as an electrical engineer and then in charge of the computer operations for the Western US (if not more. As you see, my knowledge is already sketchy.) I heard the words “Data Center” a lot and “pulling wires” (maybe . . . might have that one wrong) and a host of other computer terms that I had no clue about.

My sister works for a national company with international clients. She is the Art Director and their head graphic designer. She uses terms like Pantone and 3-D printers and a plethora of other art and computer terms.

Both she and my brother are Project Managers and can talk to each other. My eyes glaze over after one sentence.

I was an English teacher. Pretty straight forward. But I did feel a bit empowered when my sister asked my mom if I used words like “verisimilitude.” When she found out I did, I felt I had earned a bit of street cred.

I say this because until we had to move my mother, I really hadn’t fully appreciated the talents and abilities my siblings brought to the table.  They immediately put their Project Management Skills to work, their ability to sell things on various social media platforms, and their past experience.

Having been a school administrator, I, too, had organizational skills, but was extremely thankful for what they were able to do.

I was also very grateful for my other sibling, my sister, Jamie, who has Downs. Though she was not able to assist in the move at all, she provided a much needed buffer and respite. When you spend time with Jamie, you realize that the simple things in life are indeed the most important and that while you sometimes have to deal with the chaos life throws at you, God also provides a place of rest.

This has been a very good reminder to me to appreciate those others in the body of Christ whom I might not fully understand their gifts or contributions. It also convicted me of not thinking some aren’t contributing in a meaningful way just because I don’t see them doing anything. Perhaps they, like Jamie, are providing a place of peace.