Grumble...

By early evening, things are already hopping. People are out walking. Side streets are filling up. More than a few rideshares are stopping directly in the middle of the lane like they’re the only car on planet earth. And my personal favorite… out-of-towners behind the wheel.

They are easy to spot, driving 12 miles an hour, braking at green lights, and flipping on a left blinker before turning right because they spotted what might be a parking spot.

Meanwhile, I’m just trying to get home…on time, which is usually a tight window. There’s one particular light turning from Oak onto 18th, where if I catch it at the perfect moment, I get a beautiful, uninterrupted run of open intersections and green lights all the way to Troost. It’s glorious.

But… if someone steps into the crosswalk… or an Uber stops in the lane… or our slow-moving guests from out of town decide they're going to explore the intersection at a dramatic crawl… suddenly my light is red. And if I hit that red, I’m guaranteed the next one. And the next one. It’s a chain reaction of sanctification.

In those moments, I feel a familiar tug. A temptation to grumble. Or dispute. Or, if we’re being honest, let my horn do the disputing for me.

But this Sunday, we’re looking at Philippians 2:12–18, and Paul gives us a startlingly practical and incredibly convicting truth that the way we shine as lights in a dark world is by refusing to grumble or dispute. Not by doing something dramatic or spectacular… but by the quiet, stubborn, resurrection-powered choice not to complain, not to get all upset, and not to let our hearts be shaped by frustration.

And looking ahead, traffic isn’t going to get lighter. When 650,000 people from around the world descend on our city this summer, the sanctification tests will multiply like loaves and fishes.

So now is the perfect time to prepare.

I hope you’ll join us this Sunday as we continue our series on how the resurrection of Jesus makes a real difference today. Jesus brings light into a dark world, and He intends to shine that light through us. Let’s get ready together.

I can’t wait to see you on Sunday. Services are at 8:00, 9:15 (Full KidCity available), or 10:45 am (Full KidCity available), or you can watch the Livestream on YouTube (Like and Subscribe) or on our New Life website at 9:15 am. Also, we would LOVE for you to follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. 

Come early for some coffee and to meet a few friends,

Troy