APPEAR!!

Phil 2:14-16 (NIV)
14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

Did you notice the link between the crooked and depraved generation and complaining and arguing? Complaining seems to be the mark of that generation.
And did you notice the link between complaining and the children of God in the verse? Their lack of complaining made them stand out and be noticed among the depraved generation.

Complaining. Our small group made up a list of different kinds of complainers such as:
- The “never happy” complainer. For this person it’s always “too hot or too cold, too much sun or too much rain.” They’re just not happy people.
- The “pity party” complainer. This is the person who always feels sorry for themselves and aren’t afraid to talk about it as if we are interested!
- The “stir up trouble” complainer. This is the person who is using his complaints to make leadership look bad. They use complaining as a way to undermine others.
- The “thorn in the flesh” complainer. These people let every minor irritation rule their day and their attitude.
- The “nagger.” Nagging is a form of complaining. It’s the complaint that you haven’t done what I wanted you to do.
- The “political” complainer. This is the person who is always griping about the government and how they’re messing up everything. This person always has an endless list of complaints.
- The “medical” complainer. We might call this person a hypochondriac. This person never runs out of illnesses, aches, diseases, warts, sicknesses, stubbed toes, carpal tunnel, backaches… I think you get the picture!
- The “driving” complainer. This person has never been on the road with anyone who knew how to drive correctly. Its funny how many accidents they have been in that have never been their fault.
- The “life stinks” complainer. There certainly are a lot of people who can’t stand any one and are disappointed in every one. Nothing is fair in their life!
- The “work / career” complainer. They hate their job, they hate their coworkers, they hate their paycheck, etc.
- The “gadget” complainer. They hate all modern technology. It’s funny how they can barely use a computer that know every nuance on Facebook!
- The “sneaky” complainer. They always say that they know no one wants to hear their complaint but they sneak it in.
- The “sharer” complainer. These people call complaining “sharing.”

The list could go on and on. Needless to say we are told by the bible to shine like “stars in the universe” and break up the darkness. Complaining is part of the darkness. Complaining exalts the negative. Complaining is the language of the faithless. Complaining deifies the devil and devalues God.

When the bible uses the word “shine” that same word is sometimes translated “appear.” It’s almost as if Paul is saying, “I didn’t know where to go and things were dark and confusing and then…you appeared.” All of us have a testimony like that, the testimony that includes the appearing of a significant person who influenced us toward Christ. My challenge to you is where are you shining? In whose life have you appeared?

Like the verse says, hold out the “word of life” to a generation that is wandering crooked paths. Your appearing with a life giving word will make all the difference!