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NEVER COMPLAIN AND NEVER EXPLAIN!
by Michael McBuba "Never complain - Never explain!" was the main guiding maxim that largely characterised the lifetime of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, (popularly referred to as the Queen Mother). This stoical attitude was what saw her, (like many others of her past generations), through different times of private and public sorrows, pains and difficulties, as well as through numerous times of joy, peace and quiet. By way of contrast, I hereby propose that this same simple maxim should similarly form the bedrock-foundation of every sincere and diligent child of God who wants to and earnestly desires to remain relevant and useful in His Kingdom Agenda. It was with this theme in mind that the Apostle Paul wrote the following powerful thought to the Philippian Church: "I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content; everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry" (4:11-12). When Paul spoke of contentment in the foregoing passage, he was not referring to mere complacency or a lifestyle of docile acquiescence and blind existence. Rather, he was instructing the saints of God to, "Never complain and never explain". In other words, we should learn to take life as it comes - with its daunting challenges, inexpressible joys, harrowing sorrows, problematic difficulties, violent vicissitudes, and its very unpredictable nature. Elsewhere in 2nd Corinthians 9:8; 1st Timothy 6:6, and Hebrews 13:5, Paul laid further extensive emphases on this same subject, which all goes a long way to underscore just how critically and crucially important it is for us as believers to cultivate the habit of Godly Contentment and to develop the habit of total dependence on God's Providence and Benevolence. To conclude, we'd like to quote from the Easton's Bible Dictionary which defines contentment as " a state of mind in which one's desires are confined to his lot in life (whatever it may be). It arises from the inward disposition, and is the offspring of humility, which is an intelligent consideration of the rectitude and benignity of Divine Providence" Putting the foregoing into daily and regular practice shows that we have truly encountered the transforming grace of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ in an experiential manner. Pastor Michael McBuba gave his life to Jesus Christ some twenty-nine years ago. He is joyfully married to Pastor Christie, and they are blessed with two lovely daughters, Iyanu-Virtue (Foster) and Madeleine-Nkem-Pelum (Biological). He is an Admin Staff of HSFL, and worships with the RCCG, Lagos. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |