Finally, beloved, 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)
As I struggle to understand the hate that is ratcheting up to unbelievable levels in our country (just one example being the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill community of Pittsburgh), the words above, written by Paul, grab me and shake me to the core.
I like to think that, as a Jesus follower, I live in the light. I reject darkness of any kind. I keep my mind on things of the Kingdom.
But wait a minute. Why did I slog my way through the latest mystery novel by Tana French, an author I used to really enjoy, even though the subject matter grew darker and darker with each turn of the page?
Why do I allow my mind to wander to what “she said” and what “he did,” allowing hurt feelings to fester instead of approaching her or him to work things out?
Why do I grumble (sometimes in a very loud voice) about our president, without praying for him on a daily basis?
What about the time last week when my husband and I were shopping, and I pointed out an older woman with pink hair, making a disparaging comment?
None of us are totally innocent of what is going on in this country, and indeed, around the world. Many of us are filling our minds with trash, either through the written word or through images on TV or at the movie theatre. Remember the old saying? Trash in, trash out.
Many of us are pointing the finger at someone who is different from us on a regular basis, and either laughing or making snide comments.
Too many of us shove down hurts instead of approaching the person who hurt us and trying to understand, or, at least, making ourselves heard.
It adds up, over time, making us hard and callous and self-righteous and sometimes downright mean.
I don’t like to think that’s me, but, you know what? Sometimes it is me. Sometimes it’s all of us together, and that’s when we notice; when we sit up and say, “what’s going on in this country? What’s going on in this world?”
There’s an old saying, attributed to Walt Kelly, in a 1971 poster to promote Earth Day. He later used it in his Pogo cartoon:
“We have met the enemy, and he is us.”
Our major enemy—Satan—uses these little footholds within each one of us to sow seeds of hatred and division and trash.
The remedy? I believe Paul hits it right on the mark:
Finally, beloved, 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)
I will start by changing my reading habits. Praying for our president. Keeping unkind thoughts to myself. Praising the Lord throughout the day – for my family, my friends, my church community, and the beautiful scene (above) right outside my window.
How about you?
