PONDER THIS

I heard of a little boy and an old preacher who both went out to see the Grand Canyon. The old preacher wrote back to his wife, saying, “Today, I’ve seen the handiwork of God. I’ve seen God as He put colors on His palette and as He took His fingers and sculptured a masterpiece.” And he went on in grandiose words to describe the Grand Canyon. The little boy wrote back to his mother: “Guess what Mama? Today, I spit a mile.”

You can be surrounded by beauty and not see it. Do you have eyes to see the beauty God has given to the world? Earlier, in Philippians 4:8, Paul said to meditate on “whatever things are of good report.”

The Book of Philippians was written from a prison but smells of Heaven. There is peace, hope, joy, even from that dark place. In verse 11, Paul told the people not to feel sorry for him. He said, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” Paul could live with joy and a hopeful outlook because he had Christ. Today, you have the same beauty and hope to behold, regardless of your circumstances.

• What is your outlook on life like right now? How has God shaped the way you see the world?
• What would it look like to live content in Christ? What would be different? What would stay the same?

PRACTICE THIS

Start a challenge with a friend to go through an entire day with a joyful outlook without complaining.