Scripture: Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Thought for the Day: Since my recent trip to Philippi, I have been reading Philippians. Almost every time I reread a section of scripture, I find something new. These words are often quoted, and I see them reposted on Facebook on a regular basis. Most translations have the word “anxious,” but I wasn’t too sure if that was the most accurate translation of the original Greek. Some have translated the phrase as: Give no thought to anything… Well that could assume insensitivity or outright apathy on important issues, and I doubt that was what Paul was encouraging. When you read this passage in the larger context, there is clearly some tension and discord within the community. Though probably not too destructive, Paul is trying to catch it early. When I read it within the larger framework, it appears to encourage the reader to bring things before God in advance of saying them out loud (or posting them on Facebook). Later in the chapter, Paul writes, “…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.” I know it is hard to pause long enough to seek what is admirable and pure when you’re passionate about something, when you feel as if an injustice is being done. Trust me when I say that I can ditch kindness for something that does not resemble kindness when I feel as if Christians are not acting Christ-like, but does the bantering and sarcastic digs really achieve anything of value? We may feel good for a moment, but is the world really a better place in which to live? This, of course, challenges the other side of the equation, suggesting a different approach to topics we know will stir the pot. Is it really needed in the first place, or are we just seeking a bigger spoon so as to stir the pot more aggressively?
Prayer: Provide me wisdom, compassion and a heart for what is right. Merciful God, assist me when I feel passion or righteous indignation. Allow my words to demonstrate more than my need to be right, but your need for righteousness and kindness and justice in what I believe is needed and how I speak of what I believe is needed. Amen.
