Sabbath Selah: Philippians 4:8

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.

Christian, this life is short. We only get a little time to impact it to surrender to Christ. If we spend that time dwelling on what is wrong – and you can ALWAYS find what is wrong if that is what you’re looking for – then who are we pushing toward salvation?

Friends, please understand that I’m preaching to myself here as much as I’m trying to gently remind you. It is SO EASY to slide into criticizing how someone does something, especially when they aren’t there to hear it. And at the time it feels like we aren’t hurting anything or anyone. I mean, it’s true, right? But the problem is that it isn’t what we’ve been commanded to do. Followers of Christ been given the mandate to look for what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and praise-worthy. And that applies to every situation.

It applies when the bank teller doesn’t can’t figure out your banking issue.

It applies when your waitress can’t get your order right. Even on the third try.

It applies when the cashier at the grocery can’t get your coupons to scan and doesn’t know how to fix it.

It applies when the customer service rep disconnects your call. Even when you’ve been on hold 45 minutes.

It applies when somebody dings your car.

It applies when your pastor preaches the same sermon he’s preached a hundred times before.

It applies when you’re in line at Wal-mart.

You will find whatever you are looking for, so can we agree to look for what is true? Can we ponder what is noble. Shall we meditate on what is right. Exalt what is pure? Search for what is admirable? Seek what is praise-worthy? And how about we talk about THOSE things? Tweet about THOSE things? Update your facebook status with THOSE things? Say THOSE things to our spouses? Let our children hear THOSE things coming out of our mouths? Use our blogs to expound on THOSE things?

There is a whole lot of good going on in the church and in the world that needs to be talked about. I’m convinced that the world would be a totally different place if Christians used our time here to magnify what is right instead of what we see as wrong. How much more would we exemplify unity to a world that is divided? How much of our hypocritical reputation could we shed by speaking kindness instead of self-righteousness? Could we actually make a difference in somebody’s eternity by lifting up instead of complaining? Y’all, could our words and attitudes actually be used to convince the world that Jesus is the Real Deal?

I think they can.

Because John 12:32 says it is true.

It is our job to lift Him high, and He will do the drawing to Himself.

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.

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