A couple of weeks ago I was reminded of something I wrote a couple of years ago, “How to start a good week,” which directed me to Romans 12:9-18, Matthew 22:36-40, Philippians 4:8, and Galatians 5:22-23. They are excerpts that I find myself reviewing time and again.
Paul told the folks in Philippi, as he was starting to wrap up his letter, “Finally brothers, 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.”
So often we find ourselves diving down rabbit holes of darkness, themes that direct us away from the best we can be or aspire to. We should not need a reminder to seek out the true and the noble and the pure, but of course we do need reminders from time to time.
We live in a dark world where darkness is celebrated and advocated and admired, and we need to remind ourselves constantly that there is another path, a brighter path, and a nobler path that is healthier for our souls.
The start of a new week is a good time for such a reminder. By close of business Monday, we may already have been knocked off course; it helps to focus on whatever is excellent or praiseworthy in a world full of so much that is not.
And so, besieged on all sides, we seek out love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, and we rediscover daily that we can find them as a natural byproduct of delving into the Holy Spirit.
