Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves], That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world. – Philippians 2:14-15, Amplified Bible

On August 13, 1996, Former Oklahoma Congressman J. C. Watts stated the following at the Republican Party National Convention, “Character is doing the right thing when nobody’s looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that’s right is to get by, and the only thing that’s wrong is to get caught.”

Indeed, we are to do right when no one is looking. Mr. Watts would no doubt agree that we also ought to do right when other people are looking. It is when other people see the content of our character displayed in the daily hum-drum of our lives that they can tell what stuff we are really made of. If we allow grumbling, faultfinding, gossiping, and complaining to dominate our character, then we tell the world that it is our human nature, not God’s supernatural character, that governs us. If, however, we display honesty, peacefulness, and care for others in our lives, then we will show that something unnatural (God’s nature) is in control.

When God’s nature controls us, then our character shines like a light in a dark tunnel. It is so unusual to be at peace when the world around you is falling apart, and when you are, others will notice. Not all, but many, will at some point be curious enough to ask you why you can be at such peace, and it is then that you have a wide open door to share the God that is the source of your peace.

Did you wake up grumpy this morning? If so, then realize that it is your human nature, not God’s nature, that you woke up attuned to. Before you leave your home to take on the world, snuggle up with God and ask Him to take over. If you try to command your human nature into submission, it will not listen. If you allow God to command it into submission, it must obey.