Last week I had a dream where a lady from my previous church was with her husband at a table across from mine at a charity luncheon. In front of several people she leaned over and told me that she was sick and tired of reading my blogs on Iron Porch and that I should figure out what to do with my life. In the dream I was shocked, as I imagine I would be in real life. I calmly told her she could easily unfollow the blog. In my dream, I then said, “or you could write a guest blog about why you are so tired of reading other people’s blogs.”
I gave her two choices: stop reading the blog or help contribute to it.
This was a leadership lesson that I learned early in my military career. Get on the train (and help) or get out of the way (and stop complaining).
In the Bible we see countless examples of complaining and grumbling. Martha complains to Jesus about Mary. In the Old Testament there’s complaining to Moses and Aaron. The Disciples complain about all the riff-raff waiting for a millisecond to chat with Jesus (that was a total “Emily” paraphrase!). Even the Psalmist in Psalm 55:17 (NASB) stated, “Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and moan, and He will hear my voice.”
All these complainers need to consider getting out of the way of the train.
Instead, what would happen if they got on the train? If they helped those in need? If they started expressing gratitude for God’s blessings in their lives? If they started sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Think about the impact they could have on the kingdom!!!
We have guidance to help us pray for one another and become hospitable to each other, which is us choosing to “get on the train.”
What if we followed Galatians 6:2 (NASB), “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” And what if we were able to “contribute to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality” as seen in Romans 12:13 (NASB). Would we be better equipped to pray for others? Would we know their needs before they had to ask for help?
Perhaps if we choose to get on the train, we’d be able to live out 1 Peter 4:9…while choosing to not get out of the way with our complains. “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.” ~1 Peter 4:9 (NASB)
Each day we get these choices. You can “stop doing” or you can “help contribute.” Regardless of the circumstances of your choices to “get on the train or get out of the way,” they are yours to make. I’ll be praying this week that you have peace with your choice.
~Emily
Iron Porch 