beautiful – caringhansen

In the midst of one of my ugliest times in life, emotionally and physically speaking, I was drawn to the following two verses found in Philippians 4: 5 and 6 – amplified version. ”Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything by prayer and requests…continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace (that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace) which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”.
These words surrounded me and cocooned me like nothing I had felt in some time. It brought me peace and encouraged me to speak everything I was feeling and desiring openly before my Lord in prayer.
But then, I moved on to read the next verse and found it very unnerving. Verse 8 in the amplified version reads: “…whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and good, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things – fix your minds on them.”
“But God, there isn’t anything good or pure or lovely in my life!” I nearly cried. How could I fix my mind on something that didn’t exist? And then, the answer came in a quiet moment as I bowed before the Lord. THINK ON GOD. God is all those things – you need look no further. I was busy trying to find something in my physical world – something current…but nothing “here today and gone tomorrow” could bring the beauty to my world that the eternal Godhead could!
Beautiful means: delighting the senses or mind OR excellent of its kind OR very pleasing and satisfying. God is ALL three! There is no uncertainty regarding the “beauty” of your heart, soul and mind when your thoughts are on “The Beautiful”!
May I challenge you – during this week when we, in America, focus on what we are thankful for, to focus on “The Beautiful”?
I am nearly unable to contain my emotions as I try to put into words what the result of such a focus will be. I feel tears of joy coming to my eyes while I quietly bow in worship – laughter erupting in my throat. The only way I can think to describe the result is to put it this way…”it will be the most beautiful experience you have ever subjected your heart, mind and soul to.”