How important is attitude? Jesus, in His great sermon from the mount, discussed the types of attitudes needed to be effective in His kingdom. Let's look back at some attitudes from the past that we sorely need today.
Philip ran. "So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, do you understand what you are reading?" (Acts 8:30) Philip ran to teach the eunuch the gospel. This man was reading Isaiah 53, and Philip wanted to know if he understood what he was reading. Then, he began at that very passage and preached Jesus to the man of Ethiopia. How many of us run to teach someone? We need this type of enthusiasm for reaching the lost. Think how many people could be added to the kingdom if this type of attitude was the rule and not the exception. Too often, we walk when we should be running.
Isaiah said "Here am I! Send me." "Also, I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? Then I said, Here am I! Send me." (Isaiah 6:8) Any preacher would be thrilled to work for a group of people who have this attitude toward the Lord's work. Sadly, the attitude is usually "send someone else." When our Lord was thinking about the spiritual harvest of souls that needed to be reached, he prayed: "...The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:37-38) We have much to do; there is enough work for everyone. When the Lord needs someone to do His work, do you have an Isaiah attitude?
Job said "Though He slay me, yet, will I trust Him." "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him." (Job 13:15) Job displayed absolute confidence and trust in God, even in the difficult situation he was experiencing. Can each of us say that no matter what life brings our way; no matter what temptations Satan sends; or what difficulties we must face - "I will still trust Him." Our Lord is a rock on whom we must lean during times of trial. Do you pray? If not, or if you don't pray as much as you should, consider why? Could it be you don't trust Him enough? "For He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. So we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6)
Paul said "I can do all things." "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) We can go either of two ways -- the I-can way, or the I-can't way. One way is a stepping stone toward success, the other a stepping stone toward failure. Many times, we fail at being what we could be because we forget. We forget that our strength comes from Christ -- not from ourselves. Whatever our circumstances, God has promised that Christ can make the difference between victory and defeat! Our strength lies in our relationship with the Son. We may fall because life knocks us down, but with our Lord's help, we will get up to fight another day.
Dear reader, the right attitudes can help us to be more productive in doing the Lord's work, more happy while living here on earth, more fruitful in leading others to Him, and better examples before those whose lives need good examples. How's your attitude?