Shining or Barking?

As my friend Dick Moscovic would say, “It is better to be the shining moon than the barking dog.” Which one are you?  Are you shining the light and love of Jesus to those around you or are you always barking and complaining?  I believe it is better to count your blessings and be thankful than to be a complainer.

Abundant Life

There is some truth to the idea that the church has focused too much on enduring suffering and not enough on the abundant life we are promised in Christ. The Parable of the Talents, in Matthew 25:14–30, is a good example.  It can be seen as a warning to the lazy or as encouragement to the faithful. I think Jesus is saying that we will be rewarded for developing our talents. It is encouragement to make the most of the resources with which God has blessed us. 

While life can certainly put obstacles in one’s path, we get to decide how we will respond. Will we be the shining moon or the barking dog? My father was always the “shining moon,” though he had challenges. Even growing up in the “good old days,” life was not easy.

17-year-old School Bus Driver

Can you imagine a 17 year old driving a school bus, transporting students? Think of the liability. It would never happen in my school district. But, that is exactly what my dad was doing in 1948, driving a school bus in rural North Carolina. Needless to say things have changed considerably since the times in which my father was growing up. While bus drivers are still badly needed, hiring high school students is not an option.  

Driving the school bus did keep my dad in school. However, before the bus driving opportunity came along, my father had skipped much of the ninth grade, a fact that would prevent him from graduating with his peers. Actually, it was not until 1979 that my father received a high school diploma, the same year as my wife. He graduated 30 years late, but he persisted.

Persistence

Persistence is a word that characterized my father’s life. He did not give up when things got hard. Regardless of the hardships, he trusted that God would complete the good work that he began. This is a promise that I have used as a foundation for my life. Even though I can’t see it, even though I can’t feel it, God is working. Though life is difficult and we face setbacks, my father trusted that God was working all things for his good.

This is only one of the characteristics that I hope to pass on to my children and grandchildren. As a part of the body of Christ, I hope that we don’t  focus too much on enduring suffering, but, instead be thankful for the abundant life we are promised in Christ. So, which who are you, the shining moon or the barking dog? From my experience, being the shining moon is a lot more fun.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6

Also, see Blessings.

Copyright © 2020 Chuck Locklear