Don't Mess With Mr. In-Between!

Human beings do not need to be taught how to complain.  They are born with the ability to loudly, repeatedly, and fervently issue forth cries of complaint over the things they don't like, the things they view as unjust or unfair to them.  The youngest baby is quick to cry, even shriek, when  her tummy feels empty and no one is taking action to remedy the situation.  A toddler will not hesitate to scream when he  wants the toy someone else is holding.  The teenager will sulk and grumble loudly when not allowed to have immediate access to the family car.  An immature Christian is one who continuously engages in complaining over his station in life and comparing himself with others who have more... more money, more friends, more influence, more peace-- the list is endless.

What we do need to learn is how to be thankful.  We need to practice an attitude of gratitude for those blessings which we do possess.  We need to be taught to focus on the things that really matter, not just in the here and now, but for all eternity.  Thankfulness and gratitude do not come naturally to the human heart, but cultivating such attitudes is really not all that difficult.  It does require practice, though.

The story is told of Mother Teresa, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Laureate in 1979 for her work founding the Missionaries of Charity in response to the desperate needs of the poorest people in India.  At the awards ceremony, she received a trophy and a check amounting to approximately $190,000.00.  Immediately following the gathering of people and the sumptuous meal served to all, this devoted nun got up from her table and rushed out to cash the check so that she could return to Calcutta with money to build homes for these pitiful, destitute, needy people... many of whom were leprous.  As she exited the building, a waiter came running after her with the trophy she had put under the table at her feet and had left behind.  The award, the acclaim, the trophy with her name engraved on it... this meant very little to her because her mind was focused on the blessing that the money would be for others.  When initially told of her selection to be a recipient of the award, Mother Teresa thought quietly for a moment, then said, "Thank God for his gift for the poor. God's blessings will be with the people who have given the prize. I hope it will be a real means of bringing peace and happiness in the world of today."  Her first response was thankfulness.  Her second response was service to others.

Every day we are surrounded by those who possess more than we do, and we are also surrounded by those who have less.  Comparing our situation to that of another does nothing to enhance thankfulness.  If we focus on the person who has been given more, we feel slighted and are inclined to envy and dissatisfaction with our lot in life.  If we gaze upon those who have less, more often than not we begin to feel superior to them and can easily become like the Pharisee who prayed loudly, "God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector." (see Luke 18:11)  Far wiser is the man who begins every day thanking the Lord for the blessings God has given to him and thinking of ways he can use those blessings to bless others in return.

People do not need to be taught how to complain.  On the contrary, people need careful instruction on how to become truly thankful for everything in life.  Even the redeemed child of God must learn how to continuously express gratitude to the Giver of all things.  It is not a habit that comes naturally to us.  It is, however, a habit which we can easily cultivate with only a small amount of effort.  We can begin each morning with a simple statement of thankfulness to God that we have been given yet another day in which we can serve Him.  A dear saint at our church once told me, "I figure that every day I wake up on this side of the ground is a good day!"  Starting the morning with a prayer of gratitude sets the tone for the rest of our day.  Praise and thanksgiving can become an integral part of our life, and they are truly pleasing to God.

Many years ago I read of the first "test" given to someone wanting to enter the Peace Corps as a volunteer.  A glass half-filled with water was to be set in front of them and the question posed, "What do you see?"  If the candidate answered, "I see a half-empty glass of water," they were politely excused from service in the Corps.  If, on the other hand, their reply was, "I see a half-full glass of water,"  they were quickly accepted into the training program of the organization. 

My grandmother taught me a little song many years ago:  "You've got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, and latch on to the affirmative.  Don't mess with Mr. In-Between!"  So today, determine for yourself that you will not complain about what you lack, but that you will praise the Lord for every blessing, every mercy He has given to you. Begin to cultivate the habit of thanksgiving and learn to focus on the  positive things in your life.  Fixing your gaze upon those things will change every day you live, and doing so will transform how you respond to the needs of others. 

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

(Philippians 4:8)