Philippians 2:12-18: Rejoicing, Not Grumping

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. - Philippians 2:12-18

I guess I hope that what I'm doing with my life is ultimately worth it. That the places where I have poured my effort and my passion are worth it and maybe something good will happen because of what I did. That's what I hear Paul saying: "I will be able to boast...that I did not run or labor in vain." 

He wanted that same sense of purpose for the lives of the Philippians. We are dealing with God here, not just a la-da-da vacation. Taking God seriously means taking his plans for us seriously-"fear and trembling" but not "grumbling or arguing" That's a tough call because "fear and trembling" tends to make me grumpy and when I'm grumpy I like to do all of those things. 

What is the antidote to this? It appears that the antidote to grumpy is doing it with other people. When Paul remembers the Philippians, he is "glad and rejoice with all of you" and he hopes that they should be "glad and rejoice" with him. There is a togetherness which creates an environment of being on the same team and even though it is difficult, it is difficult together as a team. I think this is true, because grumpy attitudes tend to be isolationist. So I plan to reinforce my time with other people who can help me be a rejoicing sort of person.