Keeping the faith

There is nothing like a good moan - but when I cannot follow the good moan by laughing out loud at myself and how ridiculous I am then I know I may have problems brewing. When all I want to do is complain then there is something wrong - first of all it os not really my personality to be totally negative - somewhat nagging, always seeking improvement - yes, but downright negative, no. Then there is what we are called to be - what we are called to be are beacons of light - not grump black holes - sucking the life out of those around us.

Jesus actually tells the people to stop complaining in the reading this morning - i imagine what he is talking about is that grinding, groaning sort of constant drip of complaint which wears away at a person's soul when they engage in it. Stop you griping - he says.

This is a message to us too - especially in difficult times - and I am talking to myself too - whilst it can be healthy and cathartic to state a problem and talk it over it is not healthy to allow it to become acid for us and to eat away at who we are.

Jesus is offering to fill at the same time as we are all to often ready to diminish ourselves. Lets try over during the weeks leading up to Easter to have a perspective which allows for healthy expression but allows for the Holy Spirit and a filling in ways which we may not have expected as well.

I am not denying of belittling the very real pain which is in many people right now, nor belying the real danger of depression and other serious problems which many face - all of these have to be carefully wrapped in our prayers and love. What I am asking is whether we are the griping crowd which Jesus hushes or are we the hungry crowd which Jesus gladly feeds?