Day 21 | Philippians 4:8-9
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
–Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)
For Reflection:
Our thoughts matter. Our thinking matters. What we immerse ourselves in has direct influence over/on the way we experience conversations, upon the things we walk through and do; how we perceive our experiences; our interactions with others; our posture toward others and how we engage in the tasks and events in our everyday lives. Paul, sitting in prison while writing this letter, knows this fact well.
He is living it.
In our passage, Paul begins making a turn to close this heartfelt letter to his beloved brothers and sisters in Philippi, as he remembers and reframes. He prefaces this guidance by asking them to lean in to hear this “one final thing” that calls attention to what is consuming their thoughts. Are thoughts fixed on what is wrong, frustrating, worrisome, even unjust? Or on what is right, good, lovely; things worthy of praise that warm our hearts?
Knowing that thoughts drive our actions, he makes the connection for us. For Paul, if he is focusing on being sidelined (in prison), unable to travel and build and mentor church communities of disciples, he would not be writing letters. Instead, he refocuses on what is good, looks for where the opportunities lie, and pours himself into letters to encourage, correct, teach, connect, and express gratitude and love. He challenges and reminds them to consider: What are they putting into practice and how does that compare to what they learned together from and with Paul when he was with them? And what they see and receive from him now?
Why? Paul knows that sometimes our plans are interrupted – by big or small things, that unexpected events can flip a day or even life upside down, bringing discouragement and questions and cause us to worry, fear, even retreat.
Has this happened to you?
Earlier today, I went to have blood drawn for an upcoming check-up. The waiting room was unusually full, and I found a seat in one of the last of 15 chairs lining the walls of this small room. I had work to do, and this delay was not only inconvenient, I had not brought my work along, which added to my angst. After a period of silence, a sense of camaraderie, peace, and even joy emerged among us. A few elderly women who bussed over from a local assisted living place leaned in, spoke into the room, and before long, laughter erupted amid the lengthy, unexpected waiting that was stealing a chunk out of our day. Over the next hour, one-liners about life, aging, our human condition broke the silence as they bantered among themselves and with us all and laughter emerged; others joined in. As they left, they suggested to the very quiet young woman seated next to me that she’s likely relieved to see them go… Instead, she exclaimed: “You’re the reason I stayed!” More laughter! And joy!
The office was understaffed. While none of us were happy to be delayed, each one showed compassion for the staff and one another; not a single complaint was voiced in the 120 minutes I shared this space with them. While waiting, I noticed the weariness of a young worker as she had come in and out, calling names to take people back. The heaviness of her job and the added responsibilities were weighing on her. As she looked at the sheet to call my name, she saw a hurtful note that someone (who came in, then left) had written on the sign-in sheet. She repeated the message to her colleague, and sat to draw my blood. She recounted her week to me, and the weight of criticism and impatient judgment of others welled up as tears in her eyes. It was such a stark contrast to the other side of the shared wall.
As we finish these 21 Days together and continue our journey to draw near to God in His word and prayer, may we pay attention. Keep watch. Realize where our thoughts are going and what is consuming and guiding us. Will we catch ourselves as headlines, conflicts, polarization, tragedies begin to consume our thoughts – and redirect them toward God’s presence with us; His promises; the goodness in the world around us? Will we look up and let Him remind us of things that are lovely and excellent and admirable? While we don’t ignore what is wrong and unjust; can we look first to our beautiful Savior and Friend who loves us; shows us how to live, and renews our minds, transforming us into His likeness, that we might live as His loving light in this world, wherever we go, come what may? May we look to Jesus, fix our thoughts and eyes on what is good and lovely, let His excellence be the foundation for our actions, interactions, thoughts, words and conversations.
Let Us Pray:
Oh Lord, how lovely is your dwelling place. Together we make Paul’s encouragement our prayer: Gracious God, would you help us fix our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Help us to think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Strengthen and guide us to keep putting into practice all we have learned and received from You through your Word—everything we hear from You and see You do in your Word. Holy and loving God, would you fill us and surround us with your peace, true peace that only You can give. That we may know You, Our God, the God of peace, are truly with us. And Lord, as we go, following you, allowing you to transform and empower us to think and do as you do, may the world see your light and come to know you. And may your peace reign in us and in this world. In your holy and precious name, Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Questions:
How am I experiencing God’s peace in this season of life? Where are my thoughts focused? Are my thoughts consuming and sidelining me in any way?
I ask Jesus to increase my awareness as my thoughts anchor into places that draw me away from His goodness and to help redirect my thoughts, words, and actions.