"Attitudes, Attitudes"

Have you ever been pained by the attitude of another? I know that's a silly question. Sure we have all been pained at one time or the other by the attitude of those around. Attitudes are so important. The more I study and apply the Scriptures to my life, the more I see the importance of attitude. Attitude determines a lot of things.

A few years back while preaching, I mentioned the importance of attitude in the message. Suddenly, out of know where a little boy was sitting, writing on the piece of paper and said, "Attitudes, attitudes, attitudes, that's all we hear is attitudes!" It embarrassed the parents but here this little boy had gotten the message.

Paul speaks "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 2:5) The attitude of Christ is what the Lord is trying to develop in us. We've done it. We find ourselves in a situation that is not the best. Our attitude starts to deteriorate a little. Then comes a little complaining which if left unchecked leads to bigger complaining. Before we know it, we have moved so far from the attitude of Christ Jesus while thinking we are in good standing with Him. The Holy Scriptures become easy to dismiss because there are so many that hit on our attitude and we don't want to let go of the attitude just yet. So what do we do? We let go  of the Scripture, basically walking away while fueling our attitude. The Scriptures are too easily dismissed when we get our feathers ruffled. It seems we want to walk in our attitude and not get too close to Scripture at that point.

If we have the attitude of Christ, where would that lead us when we find ourselves disturbed or troubled in attitude? To His voice! We would reach to Him and follow His voice and not the voice of our attitude. We would change our attitude!

Years back at a congregation they were preparing to put in a solar cell for heating and cooling their building. The elders asked for input from the congregation and one man came forward, who was an engineer and met with them. He told them it wouldn't work and here's why. After many weeks of deliberation, the elders decided to go with the project and announced to the congregation for helping to dig a pit on Saturday. Guess who was the first to show up with shovel in hand? The engineer who said it wouldn't work!! Attitude! The willingness to serve the Lord despite what was said. It was Christ Jesus he served and he knew what the Lord expected. He didn't dismiss Scriptures. He didn't shy off from being loving, humble and kind. He embraced that heart of the Lord. Guess what? IT DIDN'T WORK! He never once told them, "I told you so!" He never took on the attitude, "Look how you wouldn't listen and look at the cost it caused us!" He simply had the attitude of Christ and walked in humility.

Attitude. It's what the Lord looks for in us. Attitude. The proper response will keep us surrounding our lives with His word, listening to His voice. We won't pick and choose when to listen and to what to listen. We will simply bow in humility and try to help where we can help. God's gives His grace to those humble!