"Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”   Philippians 2:14

Sometimes Paul writes deep theology, giving us a deeper understanding of God, His will, and His ways.

Sometimes he gets practical.

Maybe a little too practical.

A little too close to home, if you know what I mean.

That's how it is with today's verse.

Let’s be honest: grumbling is a part of our nature.

Do you remember God's people grumbling in the wilderness?

"We're starving!"

"We're thirsty!"

"Why are we stuck out here in the desert when things were so much better in Egypt?"

You get the picture.

But we don't have to spend our lives grumbling.

There's a better way.

In fact, Paul says that we're called to be "lights" in this dark world (v. 15).

We're to live differently.

We're to stand out in a crowd.

But don't worry.

We don't have to do this in our own strength.

Paul unlocks the secret in verse 13:

"[F]or it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

So confess your grumbling.

Ask God to forgive you and to chart a different path for your life.

A path of humility.

A path of thanksgiving.

A path that will make your life shine a gospel light for the whole world to see!