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1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 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. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:1-9 NIV Bible)
The busy season of Medicare Advantage plans is neigh upon us, and here I sit in the Seguin Walmart for one day, Monday. October 15th is the start of the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) when one who has a Medicare Advantage plan can switch out to another; and this year's new additions to plans makes shopping around worthwhile. I sit near Register 9 and about an hour ago, a young woman with a basket filled to the brim and beyond with groceries and other items came to check out. This being an information day, I knew it would be slow and I wondered how she would do her self-checkout with so many items and such a limited space to work with. I also noticed she was wearing a jacket with the dreaded two initials most Texans didn't want to see; O U. Well, she did it. As she bagged her groceries, she arranged the bags neatly on the tiny counter space and some items were placed on the floor until she finished and she paid for all items and I told her I admired her for the way she was able to meticulously handle all things. She said thank you and she thanked the military for helping her handle such details. I wondered how I would have handled the challenge. All minds do not work alike; some work patiently with all challenges, and others can't work because of impatience.
The Apostle Paul addresses this in today's passage. As he writes to the church in Philippi, he is concerned about some of the believers there, and he names them and he names that they were no longer getting along, and urges Syntyche to help mend that relationship by urging them to think like Jesus. What Would Jesus Do is more than a cute saying on now-outdated bracelets and s-shirts; it's a way of living. If more of us would seek to think like Christ, we might be able to work things out better and faster. Those whom Paul mentioned were going through a rough patch but that did not erase their names from the book of life. But Paul does call them to be joyful, and to be joyful always, so much so he says, "I will say it again: Rejoice!" Thank God for the people in our lives whose joy is contagious and almost ever present; no matter their situation or their lot, they are joyful. And Paul also urges them, and us, to not be anxious about anything. This is sometimes difficult. As I took my morning walk this morning my heart was heavy for the people in Israel and Palestine. There is a war going on and many are dying as a result. I read bout 260 people attending a music festival who were gunned down by paragliding terrorists who flew into their midst and just opened fire. One man was on the phone with his daughter and her husband when they were killed as the father listened in, helpless to do anything. I had to admit to the Lord that I was a bit anxious about such a situation and asked Him to do what He can to bring about a resolution.
Paul says beside not being anxious we should, in every situation be prayerful and to list our petitions to Him along with our thankfulness, as we talk to God about what is bothering us. And as a very helpful reminder, Paul says The Lord is close by to listen and to respond to our cares and worries. And Paul adds, as we pray, the Lord will grant to us His peace, and this is a peace that "transcends all understanding." The Message Bible puts it this way, "Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." Imagine worry being displaced by God and having His peace as the center of our lives? Paul shares a model for this peace and thinking in this way: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things." Thinking along these lines helps our attitude, and a right and proper attitude helps our altitude, in other words, lofty thoughts lift us up and away from that which was holding us down. Using Dr. Peterson's word from The Message again, "Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse." What a way to live, no?
PRAYER: Dear God of Peace, be with us and lift us from those deep depths of despair that sometimes try to drag us down. Help us be lifted by Your Spirit to the heights of glory and peace. Help us bless others to join us there; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Allow God to lift your spirit today and take someone with you!
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
