Hurt by a nasty attitude lately? Do you feel some people’s attitude at work stinks? Well, think about it. We all face it at some point in our ‘work planet’. Especially if you’re paid for selling your brains to keep the busy world going (Or do you prefer the word ‘corporate worker’ more?). We must admit that the attitude we choose, determines the altitude we reach. We live by the philosophy – the tougher your attitude – the higher your altitude! We live by it, and fortunately a few succeed (for some time at least – happy for you mate!). But for many it’s an ‘Open Head- Closed Heart’ battle. Especially if you belong to Jesus Christ. We feel poked as we try to follow the command ‘love your neighbor as yourself’, while our neighbors hit us with their ‘love yourself as your only neighbor’ attitude.
This is what I mean, most of us have been were effected by the ‘partiality’ game played by our superiors, and the ‘politics’ played by our colleagues. And more often than not we are hurt. As we hang out with our hi-tech heads, we discover a hollow heart within us asking us to either become bitter or quit. So, how do we find a healthy attitude in a hi-tech world? For starters, it’s good to be reminded that the world and its attitude went bankrupt at the sight of Jesus. A world where might was right, and pride was power, their attitude cringed when the met ‘THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. Our world is no different today. So, how does one remain humble and yet scale great heights, remain lowly and yet gain a lofty character, remain simple and set a sky high influence in a world that believes, ‘bless or curse, fill your purse’. How can we bless people when they make us bleed, and have a healthy ‘Hearttitude’? Read on!
God sent His only Son to not just die on our behalf, but also to live on our behalf. Therefore, only the perfect life of Jesus Christ can give us the perfect attitude. He is the messenger, the message and Himself the mediator who can give us an attitude shift. He is the message and the messenger of God and hence He alone can be the mediator and the medium for our transformation.
GRATITUDE - Blessed are the blessing counters for they shall be blissful always!
The Spirit of God enables believers to recognize the revolutionary-power-generating-transformational truth found in the Scriptures, as we obey Him. Many don’t realize the power of being grateful. Gratitude is being grateful, to God, for literally EVERYTHING. Starting from the air we breathe to the most expensive possession we possess. This is only possible when we realize that everything we have is given and not earned by God’s unfailing grace! This kind of an attitude only comes through an on-going relationship with the Lord and by acquiring divine humility. Are you born again? Then how can you not be grateful for all that you have? Being grateful, not just for the good things we receive; but also for adverse and difficult situations in life. This is not being superficially spiritual, but simply understanding God’s sovereignty. Understanding – that He owns everyone and everything. Gratitude brings joy to the Lord, and in turn becomes our undying strength. The Joy of the Lord is my strength Neh. 9:10. Our strength is directly proportional to God’s joy in us.
SERVITUDE - Blessed are the serving hearts, for they shall ever be close to the savior’s heart!
A Christian’s calling is to be God’s servant, building God’s kingdom. Unless we realize this truth and by His strength live it out, we will never learn the secret of having a heart of service. Everyone desires power, but Jesus said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10: 41
These are words were spoken to the disciples just a few moments before He was going to be crucified while they were busy fighting to decide, “who among them was the greatest in the kingdom of God?” While some may go to work to mint money, to make a living and to earn a reputation, others go because it’s the only escape from the realities of home. But the Lord said we are meant to be servants. How many times do we look at our colleagues and think of serving them? How often do we treat our own family members as our masters in the Lord, giving them the best service possible? If we want to be great influencers for His kingdom the only way is to serve. Jesus never said ‘be door mats’, but he did say ‘be servants’. It is also quite possible to develop the art of serving and never the heart of it. Service comes from humility. And humility is an attitude, not an action.
FINITUDE
Gratitude fills us with the joy of the Lord, through which we serve the world in love. Having understood the above two TUDES (root word, Latin meaning – state or condition), let’s look at the final TUDE - Finitude. In our finite life, it doesn’t take too long to understand that a lot goes on without pre-information. We are neither sure of our birth, nor are we informed of our death. Proverbs 20:24 says, ‘A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?’ Everything exists for one purpose alone – God’s glory. We are not familiar with our finite life, and God in His infinite wisdom reveals what is necessary and conceals what isn’t. This ought to keep us humble, allowing us to recognize our own ‘finite’ness. Therefore, another aspect that blends our attitude is not just to know, but to have the nerve to admit the fact that we are neither in charge nor in control of many a things around us. However, we are commanded in Rom. 12:18 to live in peace with all men as much as it is possible with us.
Bottom line. None has the perfect attitude for life, except Jesus. He’s ‘been there, done that’, and the best thing is to imitate Him through His Spirit. This is only possible if you have become his child by receiving the free gift of forgiveness and eternal life Jesus gives to all who turn to Him in repentance.
No one can have an ungrateful, un-serving and an un-humble attitude and succeed in God’s sight. Let your attitude, and not just your performance or skill, influence others for God’s glory.