IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE, NO!

(#1)

It was a beautiful day in Kamloops, British Columbia. An acquaintance of mine, who repaired small airplanes for a vocation, was relating to me the basic principles of flying an airplane. We gazed up into the blue sky watching a small aircraft descending to land at a nearby airfield. He emphasized the importance of the plane's attitude! That puzzled me as I didn't know an airplane had an attitude. "The attitude of an airplane is the position of the plane in relation to the horizon" he said. He went on to explain that when an airplane is climbing, it's the "nose-high attitude" and when it is descending, it's the "nose-down attitude". He told me, "Pilots are really concerned about the attitude of the airplane because its attitude dictates its performance. Since the performance of the plane depends upon its attitude, it is necessary to change the attitude in order to change its performance.."

Let's STOP RIGHT THERE! I feel a blog coming on! Here is a pivotal point for followers of Jesus to keep dead center in our daily living. Let me first address the "performance" issue relating to us as Christ's followers. I'm NOT talking about earning God's favors or pleasing Him by our performance as opposed to our faith. I am NOT talking about the list of things we do or don't do. That is LEGALISM. When I speak of our performance here, I AM talking about our life-style, choices we make, priorities we set, our purpose to glorify God in everything! I'm referring to our daily spiritual relationship with God through His Son Jesus! As part of that, I am zeroing in on the necessity for spiritual renewal and victory in Jesus! It includes our service for Him and His kingdom. This "performance" of which I am speaking will be determined in large measure by our attitude. And it's true that to increase our effectiveness of this relationship with Jesus, we must be concerned with our attitude, making sure that our attitude conforms to the Word, Will, Purpose and Glory of God! I fear that we all tend to have a "nose-down attitude" instead of the "nose-up attitude"! To bring our attitude into this vital conformity involves personal surrender to HIS Lordship, seeking HIS forgiveness for and cleansing of our attitude that has quietly rebelled against following closely to God and not wanting to submit fully to HIS will for us.

Let's go a bit further. Here is a definition to seriously take into account. The attitude we possess is an inward disposition expressed by our behavior. Our attitude can also be seen or perceived without a word spoken. Of all the things we wear, our expression tells others the most about us at the moment. We know the admonitions, "Put on a happy face", "Smile", "Look like you are having fun", "If you're happy, tell your face", etc. These are but reminders that our facial expressions usually reflect our inner thoughts, feelings and attitude.

I believe that as followers of Jesus, we can and must have a healthy attitude and inner well-being! This does not in any way mean that we don't have hurts, disappointments, failures, frustrations or empty feelings at times. It does mean we avoid self-criticism, a negative mind-set and a critical spirit toward God, others and the world in general! We are not called to be putting on fake or unreal appearances or expressions. As Christ's followers, we need to be REAL people in REAL situations of life! However, we can and must be REAL by trusting God for His help, His cleansing power, His purifying work and His empowerment. Thus, we are able to be aware of our deep distresses and yet to focus on His Presence that secures and maintains the spiritual health of our attitude!

In the book of Philippians we find that Christ gives us the perfect example to follow as it pertains to securing and maintaining a spiritually healthy attitude! "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He was (is) God's Son did not regard equality with the Father a thing to be grasped (hung on tightly to ), but emptied Himself, becoming a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:5-8).

Let's proceed with exploring the Biblical truth found in those verses. Before thinking "these truths will be too overwhelming or difficult for me to implement," just continue to read and ask God to guide you through these truths and to enable you to change your attitude. If you are not sure about your willingness to effect a change in your attitude, then it's a clear indication you need to ask God to forgive and cleanse your unwillingness! Let's step up to consider Christ's example that is IN and THROUGH HIM fully attainable!

1) Jesus was SELFLESS! Look at this: "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3-4). Jesus fulfilled this command perfectly and His example is for us to emulate! He was SELFLESS and FAITHFUL!

2) Jesus was SECURE! He is God in the flesh, and yet He did not consider equality with His Father something to cling to. Rather, He emptied Himself of that equality and His home and throne in Heaven to put the needs of others before Himself, taking the hell, sins and punishment of the entire world to the Crucifixion Cross! He was SECURE and AVAILABLE!

3) Jesus was SUBMISSIVE! Though God Himself, He also became a man, like a bond-servant. He became humbly obedient and surrendered to death on the Cross, fulfilling the Father's plan and purpose of redemption for sinful humanity. He was SELFLESS/FAITHFUL; SECURE/AVALABLE and SUBMISSIVE/TEACHABLE! This is His perfect example for us to follow! Are you following? Can you adopt these qualities? Do you even want to? Does your attitude need changing?

We live in a world of words. We're interested in words like happiness, joy, peace, hope, love, acceptance, success, achievement, honors, work, family, money, investments, wealth, appearance, friendships, etc. These words can easily express our inward desires. There is ONE other Word that will either heighten the possibility of our desires to be fulfilled or prevent them from becoming reality for us. This additional word is NOT job, education, prestige, position, advancement, authority, time, vacation or retirement, etc. But ATTITUDE! Attitude is a primary force that determines our quality of spiritual life!

Note the following Biblical Principles! Since I am assuming you want the most out of this brief life we have on earth so that it will be filled with quality and blessing, I give you these principles based on the Word of God (the Bible). (ONE Principle this week and the remainder in next week's blog)

1) OUR ATTITUDE DETERMINES OUR APPROACH TO LIFE! For some people, there are real opportunities in every problem; for others, there are problems in every opportunity! Get this! Rather than using the term "Problem" use the phrase "GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY!" Do you have problems OR are they Glorious Opprtunities? There were two "water buckets", one an Optimist and the other a Pessimist. The pessimist said, "There has never been a life more disappointing than mine. I never come away from the well full, but what I return empty." The optimist said, "There has never been a life more blessed than mine. I never come to the well empty, but what I go away full." Which attitude realistically fits you and me? You see, attitude tells us what we EXPECT from life! "Nose-Up" - we are taking off; "Nose-Down" - we're headed for a crash!

Grandpa and Grandma loved visiting their grandchildren. (So do my wife and I !) One day, Grandpa was taking a nap on the couch. As a prank, the grandchildren put limburger cheese in Grandpa's mustache. Very soon, he woke up sniffing. "Why this room really stinks" he said. He went into the kitchen; "this room smells horrible too", he exclaimed. So, he went outside to get some fresh air. And to his surprise, it offered no relief to the horrendous smell. He was heard to declare, "The whole world stinks!"

When we carry "Limburger Cheese" in our attitude, the whole world smells very bad! For some of us, we need to wash out the limburger cheese, so we can get that spiritual fresh air! Do you feel the world is treating you well? If your spiritual attitude or performance is healthy, you will receive excellent results from God! If you feel so-so about how the world is treating you, your outlook will just be average. Feel negative and you will only experience the negative time after time!

Here is my counsel; I've shared it with family and friends way too often to count.

a) LOOK DOWN (see everything going wrong) and the view is depressing! You will be discouraged, worried and anxious, hopeless, despondent, disillusioned and defeated, etc. It's like limburger cheese, the whole world stinks!

b) LOOK AROUND (looking at others and their actions) and the view is exasperating! You will become distracted, confused, irritated, annoyed, frustrated, provoked, angry, resentful, bitter, etc. Like with limburger cheese, this room stinks badly too.

c) LOOK UP (look at God and to His ways)! The view UP to God beyond the sky is breath-taking, expansive, beautiful, bright, inviting, etc. You will become excited, blessed, encouraged, hopeful, relieved, unburdened, trusting, resourceful and you KNOW God is on His throne and is orchestrating ALL things! And YOU ARE WRAPPED UP IN HIS LOVE AND CARE! It's like washing away the limburger cheese; NOTHING STINKS!

What's your attitude toward life? Are you living in the Spirit of God with His Word in your heart, your mind fixed on obeying Him and your spiritual eyes focused on Jesus? Are you singing,

"Make the world go away", "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head", "I Did It My Way", OR "Oh, What A Beautiful Morning!" ? "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4)

Please join me next Sunday for the second blog in this series!