Gain A More Productive Attitude

The heart is quick to entitlement, but what we deserve is far less than what our hearts often desire. What we deserve isn't anything our heart desires at all.

Romans 9:15-16 says, "For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion upon whom I will have compassion. So then it depends not on human will or exertion but on God, who has mercy."

The human heart is quick to become entitled, and Romans 9 reminds us that reality is the opposite of what with think. Standing in the line at the Secretary of State, a man barked how ridiculous it was to have so many service windows and so few people working them. He spat out a few expletives and blended back into the melancholy cue. Part of me was offended at the man's grumpy anger, but inside of me, something else, something more sinister, was routing it on. I almost wished he was a little louder, so the people who run the place could pick up the pace.

If I remind myself of the truth, I can see that what I deserve is not the swift service of people but the speedy justice of God. Instead, what I get is life. But, and it gets better, I get a certain kind of life because my life is through Jesus (Ephesians 1:5), and I receive an experience of rest. Verse sixteen says that God's compassion and mercy do not depend on me or my will. That means that everything that causes me to feel rushed our hurried as I stand honing my patience will get done or not get done. The outcome of my day or my life doesn't depend on me.

The mercy and compassion of God should not lead a person to laziness or excuse a lack of preparation, but God's mercy and compassion should lead to peace and rest. God's promise of rest becomes my attitude as I prepare, pray, and work. The sabbath principle that is is demonstrated in Romans 9 by God's sovereignty is reflected moment by moment in our attitude and enacted weekly by taking one day in seven, a twenty-four hour period of time to cease from all work and enjoy the mercy and compassion of Jesus.

If someone or something hampers the progress of your day, if you're frustrated because you don't seem to be getting enough done, it's time to lay down your pride and be reminded of what you deserve. And then remind yourself of all you are and all you have in Jesus.

Only then will you be able to rejoice in and pray with thanksgiving, "Oh LORD, thank you for this line of people. You love each one of them… and even me."