Gentle Reader,
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
– Philippians 4:8 (NRSV)
Philippians is one of my favorite books of the Bible. (If you haven’t noticed, I say that about every book, with the exception of 1 Chronicles, and even that grabs my attention once I’ve waded through all the genealogies). It’s the first book that I ever wrote study material for. Someday I’ll dig that back out, probably laugh and cry about the mistakes I made, and rework it. This is a beautiful letter, especially the hymn of 2:5-11 (that I hope to write yet another paper on here soon). The beauty is enhanced by the fact that Paul is sitting in prison as he writes (or dictates) it. The words of hope and joy and faith – incredible.
Many times the Church uses the above-quoted verse to get people thinking about what kind of movies they watch or books they read. And that’s not wrong. We should think about the types of entertainment we consume. But I want to look at this from another angle today.
What and who shapes your perspective on and approach to the issues of the day?
I find it especially relevant that Paul encourages the reader to focus first on what is true, because all of the other qualities are going to be associated with truth. Truth will be honorable, just, pure, pleasing (though not always pleasant at first), commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. God is Truth. We are to be people who prioritize and value truth.
Even when truth demands we release long-cherished beliefs.
If you’ve got the television tuned into cable news all day (I don’t recommend it, but then again I also really love the quiet) and every program is focused on this or that person being your enemy, you are going to feel fear and anger. You have to stop and ask yourself if it’s true that this or that person is your enemy according to God as revealed in Scripture. Then you have to stop and ask yourself if it’s good for you to have those programs on all day long.
Are you looking at the world through the eyes of Christ? Or something else?
Perhaps you find me naive as you read this, but here’s the thing: the Gospel matters right now. God is present right now. We don’t get to use the tactics of those who don’t know Christ. We don’t get to erect fortresses and draw battle lines. We do not get to classify other people as less than or enemies. We aren’t even at war with other people. The fact that we’ve bought into the idea that salvation is just a ticket to Heaven, and that the ends justify the means, and that we have to fear and hate in order to be Christians shows that it’s not God who’s shaping our perspective on and approach to the issues of the day. It’s something else.
Turn it off. Let it go. Sit in the silence.
Seek the wisdom of God.
GRACE AND PEACE ALONG THE WAY,
MARIE
Image Courtesy of Georgina Vigliecca