Grumbling

I like a grumble! Actually lots of us do. It could be the weather, the state of the country, politicians, circumstances, the state of our lives, not having enough money and all kinds of other things. You only have to listen to the radio and the endless phone in shows that are on to know that people in this country can grumble really well!

Churches are often places where there is a bit of grumbling. It could be about all kinds of things from the length of the Sunday service, the the style of music, the preaching or any manner of things.

What we may not realise, however is that God is not a fan of grumbling. Take these sections from the Bible for example:

"At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered." (John chapter 6 verses 41 to 43)

"We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel." (1 Corinthians chapter 10 verses 9 and 10)

"Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" (James chapter 5 verse 9)

It seems pretty clear to me that God is extremly keen that we shouldn't grumble.

I for one am going to try really hard not to grumble and instead to be grateful. I want to encourage you too to seek to avoid grumbling and to stop yourself (and others) if you begin to sense a grumble coming on!

If you are a part of our church I want to encourage you to take concerns and issues direct to the people invovled rather than grumbling behind the scenes. God is keen for us not to grumble because grumbling is so destructive - to us and others. Let's make sure our church is a community of gratitude not grumbles!

God bless

Chris