Whatever is Lovely...

By Joyce Pelletier
 
     Philippians 4:8-9 ‘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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me – put into practice and the God of peace will be with you.’
 
     I love these words. So many times when things get a little sticky or challenging or relationships go sour, I strive to find something I know to be special and lovely. When I read these words, God helps me turn around my fears and concerns. 
 
     Philippians 4:4-7 reminds me to – ‘Rejoice in the Lord Always, again I say rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The lord is near! Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ.’
For those times when in the middle of a difficult situation where God seems to have moved away, we start to worry or fret thinking he doesn’t care. Nothing can be further from the truth.
 
     In the middle of our fears we get caught up in believing wrongly.  Lets look at the words in the first reading.
Whatever is…
True – No ifs, ands, or buts about it. The truth of the cross has been the most powerful promise freely offered to us.  Jesus, didn’t fake it. He experienced all things that we experience. His pain goes beyond our own. Yet, He bears our pain as well.

Noble – God is the highest priest, right had of the Father one. You can’t get higher than that. His royalty is that of mercy and grace.

Right – trusting in him is the only way to hang onto when you start shaking in your boots and things look hopeless. When the temptation is nagging at your discouraged thoughts, to not trust or believe, this is a lie from the evil one.

Pure – purity is who God is. Whatever He does or allows is perfection. Sometimes it’s hard to hang on to because those whom we love and desire to join us on our faith journey, are running from that truth. We long for them to be with us. God knows our hearts.
Looking out of my window as I write this and seeing the pure blue sky, shows me that God sees and knows all things clearly. Keep praying for your loved ones. God hears us. He loves them more than we ever could. Why wouldn’t He want us to be joined together in our Faith in Him. Don’t give up. He knows the waiting is quite difficult for us. He waited in the Garden all night until they came to arrest Him.

Lovely – There is something so amazing while looking at a deep blue sky after a week of clouds, rain and snow showers. It’s like going through the Holland Tunnel in NYC, you drive for a long spell and wonder if we will ever get on the other side and suddenly the light at the end is there before us and it’s crystal clear and you start to breathe again. I really don’t like tunnels. They are a big challenge for me. I went through the Holland on a bus with a friend. She knew how fearful I was and kept the conversation between us so attention grabbing, that the time flew by. I got through that tunnel with the help of a friend.

Admirable – there is nothing more admirable than God. Trusting in His plan and will lifting up praise for the best answers possible. Our all-knowing God is smiling as He knows when the hour comes and when our loved one steps across the bridge to accepting Him as Lord. It’s a day we long for. It is something pretty amazing to experience a loved one become a ‘Child of God!’ In our concerns, He longs more for that moment when they take that first step. I remember when it happened to me.

Excellent or praiseworthy – In the middle of challenge, difficulty and confusion, God is always with us. If it doesn’t come out the way we think, He definitely has a better plan and that is excellent and praiseworthy!

     Thinking in this manner is our way to move forward instead of being stuck in the quicksand you are in and just can’t seem to take that leap of faith for your loved ones to walk with you. My go to verse for this is from Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”   
​
     I have many loved ones that I pray for and am concerned about for their eternity.  God always reminds me to ‘Trust’ Him for the outcome and continue to lift them up. He has good reason to allow them to stay behind. The right moment will come. I was reminded at my Physical Therapy this morning, "Find your focus and keep your heart where it belongs, then you can stay tuned into the action of your exercise and it will do the work that it's supposed to do. If Jesus is my focus, I can do anything through Him who strengthens me."
 
Lord Jesus, I pray for those who need to experience your grace and love. I’m grateful that you point their needs out to us.  Show us how we are to be there for each other. Father, you have given us life. Help us to see the beauty and loveliness in all people. Holy Spirit guide our hearts with your holy wisdom and to stay focused on how we can serve one another. In Your Name, Amen!