There's a line from G. K. Chesterton which I've claimed as part of the operating creed for the second half of my life: "Angels can fly because they take themselves so lightly."
I have known a lot of Christian folks who take themselves entirely too seriously. We need to take the love of God and the good news of the Gospel seriously, but we don't have to take ourselves seriously at all. There is great joy that comes in knowing that we can trust the goodness and love of God.
It comes from my past. I grew up in a tightly-knit religious tradition which conditioned me to think that God, the universe and everybody was depending on my getting everything "just right." I haven't gotten free from all of that yet, but a part of the process of sanctification in my life has been for me to be set free from all of that. I don't have to get it all right because I am loved by God. And it's in that love that we discover the peace from which real joy flows.
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Second, look at
verse 8.
"Finally, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
Real joy -- holy hilarity -- is shaped by a disciplined focus of our hearts and minds and souls on things that are good, things that are beautiful, things that are filled with the joy of the Spirit of Christ.
Call it "the power of positive thinking" if you like Norman Vincent Peale.
Call it "possibility thinking" if you're a fan of Robert Schuller.
Call it "garbage in, garbage out" if you're a computer whiz.
Whatever you call it, the principle is the same. To experience joy we have to set our minds on things that are really good, things which express the greatness and goodness and joy of God.
I'm just like you ... I have days when I want to throw in the towel. I had one this week, when I wondered if we were really accomplishing anything around here at all. The phone calls were piling up, there wasn't much progress on the office renovations, the budget proposals seemed beyond our reach ... it was one of those days. Across town for another appointment, I met a member of one of the Disciple Bible Study groups. To tell you the truth, I had forgotten that she was in it. She told me how she loved the leadership, how much the people seemed to care about each other. Then her eyes lit up and she said, "And get this, I've finished studying the book of Genesis already!"
I came back to the office saying, "Harnish, keep your eyes on the good things that are happening around here. Set your minds on the places where people are discovering new life and new joy." Think on these things.
Then move to the
verse 10.
"I rejoice greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it.
