“WITHOUT GRUMBLING!”

1 Peter 4:7-11                 (ESV)

“7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

9 Show hospitality to one another “WITHOUT GRUMBLING”.

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of GOD’S varied grace:

11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of GOD; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that GOD supplies-in order that in everything GOD may be glorified through JESUS CHRIST. To HIM belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Not knowing how to accomplish something that will survive for eternity?  One week ago today I celebrated my 58th birthday.  Celebrating another 58 years on earth isn’t likely to happen.  As I continue getting closer to my exodus from “this world”, my thoughts become more and more about what I am doing that will make an eternal difference.   

It can be really easy to become so fixated on others perceived shortcomings that we waste our valuable time we have left talking about how pitiful they are instead of how loving and gracious our SAVIOR is to us!  Peter instructs us to show hospitality to one another “WITHOUT GRUMBLING” in the Scripture above.  And to whom should we show hospitality!  Obviously he is directing us to serve those who would normally induce us to GRUMBLE?  Why else would he interject to show hospitality “WITHOUT GRUMBLING”?  

Peter begins the passage above by saying “the end of all things is at hand”!  For some, “the end of all things” on this earth was when they were extremely young.  For my little sister, it was when she was 34 years old.  My mom lived to be 77 years of age.  I ate dinner with a friend recently who has celebrated her 99th birthday already, and plans are being made for her 100th Birthday celebration.   While we are left here in this world, we are instructed “to serve one another”, using whatever gifts HE bestows on us to HIS GLORY, not for our good!!

GOD gives life, and HE takes life (1 Samuel 2:6)!  Although we can do things to improve our health, ALMIGHTY GOD determines when we will expire.   MANY people have told me that GOD wasn’t ready for you in 2007 when my Brain Hemorrhaged.  Experiencing life can be a challenge sometimes, especially when you have been “in the valley of the shadow of death” and others are facing ravaging diseases such as cancer.  GOD’S Word tells us to accept our grace “WITHOUT GRUMBLING”, and allow GOD to be GOD!  HE doesn’t require our help!!!