Open Windows
Recently on the news, there was a story about a vigil held at a shopping center close to the church I pastor. It was for a young lady who was abducted from her place of employment and has not been found. Tragic story…her young son organized the gathering to honor her memory and revive the fervor of the search. They gathered to revive. I believe without a shadow of a doubt there is revival in gathering together.
Togetherness creates harmony and harmony creates the beautiful sound of humanity healing.
But what happens when the noise of all the turmoil, corruption and downright destruction drowns out life? It can be so heavy. Let us turn to the Word of God; let us ask the creator of all the things what we should do.
In Philippians 4, verse 6 through 8 (NKJV) it says:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.”
So we are being told to be anxious for NOTHING. Nothing is a really big word. The word nothing is defined as “no part” “something that does not exist” and then my favorite, “the absence of all magnitude”, zero! However, opening ourselves up to the news of this crazy world creates quite the magnitude of anxiety.
Father God instructs us to fix our focus on Him and the great things He has for us. He tells us right there what we ought to be thinking about in verse eight. “Of good report…” I’m sorry, but the furthest thing from a good report is the 5 o’clock news, amen? I simply choose not to watch it. It all comes down to what you choose to allow through the windows of your life. Your eyes and your ears are windows to your heart and mind. Your thoughts, ideas, emotions. Proverbs 15:30 says “The light of the eyes rejoices the heart and good news refreshes the bones.” Will you hear that on the 5 O’clock news? Good news refreshes the bones.
What are you looking at today? Is it noble? Just? Pure? Lovely? Of good report?
What are you listening to today? Is it noble? Just? Pure? Lovely? Of good report?
I used to listen to country music and would be driving down the road, singing my heart out! One day I received a check in my spirit and recalled Proverbs 18:21 where it says “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” So, as I’m singing the words of these lyrics, I’m giving literal life to those words. Think about that. Have a selah moment right now. What are some of your favorite songs? Consider the words you are giving power.
We can’t live a sheltered life, but we can make wise choices. We can be deliberate in our thoughts and in our words.
Just a little ways down from today’s scripture in verse thirteen it says “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.”
We can do it and when we guard the quality of what enters the windows of our hearts and minds, it transforms the quality of our life. Each day will be a little better, the light of the day will be a little brighter. Joy will flood in from the renewed peace that passes all understanding and before you know it, you will find yourself able to be anxious for nothing.