Yesterday, we started a series about things to meditate upon, coming from Philippians 4:8. Today, let’s revisit that verse, and challenge ourselves with something else to think upon.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things arejust, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Virtue. What is it? The dictionary defines it as moral excellence. If you are anything like me, when you look around at our world, it is so difficult to see any moral excellence. Our world is filled with selfishness, sinfulness, and all kinds of wicked behaviors that God has called abominable. As a whole, the human race is prideful and arrogant, self-seeking and hurtful. None of those things are the embodiment of virtue, and so it can be difficult to find things to mediate upon in our world today.
But have you ever run into someone at the store who held the door for you, picked up something you dropped, or went out of their way to help an elderly person? Have you ever been around children who said please and thank you and no sir and no ma’am? Have you ever been around a cashier who was extremely kind, even when you didn’t give them the right amount of money?
There is good in this world. And, if you and I will seek to find those things, and meditate on those things, we won’t see the world as a big, scary, hopeless place. We will instead see this world we live in as a place full of potential.
I love sports. Growing up, I played all kinds. I’d like to think that I know a thing or two about sports, and even about coaching. My dad coached me when I was growing up, and I became really close to my high school volleyball and tennis coaches. During those times, I cannot tell you the amount of time that I heard them talking about players’ potential. Did they like to coach kids who were rude, uncoachable, and had no talent? Not so much. Did they love coaching the ones who were eager to learn and had a previously untapped skill? Absolutely. Those were the best!
When we look at our world and we see the ugly and terrifying and wicked, we may see that they need the light of the gospel, but may be fearful of taking it to them. But when we meditate on the kind, generous people of the world, we will be more eager to go to those people and help them tap into a resource they’ve been missing! Regardless of how we view the world, we have been given the commission to go into that world and teach them about Jesus (Mark 16:15-16). However, if we will mediate on the good things that these people possess–and everyone has something good inside of them–how much easier will our task be?
