Reflection 2017 – Fill your minds with beauty and Truth
How has your life been touched by beauty this year?
“Brothers and sisters, fill your minds with beauty and truth. Meditate on whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is good, whatever is virtuous and praiseworthy. Whatever you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do it, and the God of peace will walk with you.” Philippians 4:8-9
These closing words written by the Apostle Paul are part of a love letter to precious friends in Philippi many years ago. He had suffered so much, imprisoned for his love for Jesus, knowing he would soon die, he gives consolation, encouragement and strength in their persecution and suffering.
His words caught my heart, “Fill your mind with beauty and truth.” What would I write in his place?
He knows that as we do this “The God of peace will walk with you,” a powerful promise. Beauty is the antidote to suffering. God has given us the gift of beauty and we experience it through our senses.
How has your life been touched by beauty this year?
I love the beauty in the announcement of Jesus birth. It could have happened quietly, yet God was so excited and joyful, the world stage was filled with angels who revealed his plans. To simple shepherds in the dark hills beauty filled the skies as the glory of the Lord shone around them. Angels praised and sang. A staggeringly bright star that took the breath of astronomers and caused them to worship. The beauty of this event was such it caused all who saw and heard to be amazed.
As I reflect on 2017, I revel in the truth that God is for us! He did not spare even his own Son. Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, so nothing can separate us from his love, not trouble or hard times, nor harm or hunger, nor danger or war, not even death. I am absolutely sure that nothing at all can ever separate us from God’s love. That’s because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.
On the eve of a New Year, may you experience afresh the beauty and truth of the gift of Jesus!
Selah, Pause in His Presence and reflect.
May you know the peace of God who walks with us. May the strength of God go with you. May the wisdom of God instruct you. May the hand of God protect you. May the word of God direct you. May you be sealed in Christ. And in the final words of The Bible, TPT, May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the holy believers. Amen!
This morning my reading the bible in a year came to an emotional completion. For me this daily rhythm is the undiluted essence of beauty and truth.
As I stand at the gate of 2018, I am standing here, my arms open wide. I am waiting here, heart in the hands of my Father.
Josh Baldwin brings our worship to the one who holds us secure, to Jesus who gives us true hope.