Good morning. To begin this work week, I really feel compelled to share that verse from Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
I appreciate Eugene Peterson’s treatment of this verse in his work, The Message:
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
I find it very easy these days to fill my mind with things that are concerning. The state of our world, our country, our state, our community, and all else dear to me seems to be dire. That isn’t necessarily more true now than usual, but I am too often allowing my mind to be filled with the “news”, the words of our world.
It is a good reminder for me, and perhaps for you as well, to fill the mind instead with that which is righteous and lovely, that which is noble and pure, that which is excellent and praiseworthy. Those things are certainly true, it is all a matter of what we are looking for.
Today and this week, may we make an effort to focus our minds on that which is of God and not on that which is of the world.
Vern