Truth To Wonder: conversation for christ

Now that the school Easter holidays are over, its back to the ‘normality’ of the school run. The usual scene of hurried “Mornings!” being exchanged by parents as they begin their hectic day, is a familiar one to many. Sometimes though, there are a few minutes available to engage in a brief conversation with another parent. Such conversations are usually light chit-chat that can bring a welcome smile to the face on a busy day. 

However, sometimes these exchanges can bring stresses that aren’t particularly welcome. I recall there being one such parent who I’d interacted with many times in the past. The problem was that literally every time I saw this parent, the whole of the interaction was them complaining about something. There was never anything good to report, only grievances shared over what were many times trivial matters. I would do my best to offer some hope on the issue at hand, or bring some levity to the situation, yet this was always batted away with more grumblings. 

For a long while, I thought that maybe it was just me who received these regular grumblings. However, it later transpired that I saw other parents struggle to interact with that parent, due to the barrage of complaints received each time. After a while, that parent was hurried past by everyone, as everyone knew what was coming if they stopped to interact. The constant grumblings had driven everyone away. My own father-in-law was the same. Everything was a problem, even if the thing he was complaining about was a wonderful blessing! Ultimately, he drove everyone away too. 

Sadly, some believers can live in a similar manner. Their lives are lived in a seemingly permanently downcast manner, with their conversation taken up with grumblings and grievances. Such behaviour goes against the Word of God, for we are to give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18). If we don’t live in accordance with this Scriptural command, our ungrateful, grumbling ways will drive non-believers away from the receiving of the good news of the Gospel. Our unappealing manners will drive away people from Christ Jesus, much like that parent did towards many others. They, however, did so unwittingly, and so we are to be patient with such souls. Whereas we Christians, should know better, as we have God’s Word making it plain to us the danger of such a way of living. 

Let’s be careful in how we present ourselves to others, for we are witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, we will know days of sadness and trials, and we shouldn’t grin our way emptily through them. Instead, we can share our troubles with others, but in the light of the certain hope we have in Christ Jesus and His eternal promises to us. That joy of faith in the face of adversity, is what speaks loudest of the unique peace and joy that is found within the Gospel. So, let’s wear our faith with a thankful heart each day, and be on guard against our fallen, grumbling natures.