Phil. 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Lord Jesus, less fickle than happiness, the joy we have in you both assumes and transcends the brokenness and difficulties of life. Through our union with you, we are known, loved, and kept. That which we once feared (death) has become a portal to paradise, so we can…
5 “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Because you are near to us in proximity and your return, we can risk being gentle. We don’t have to live with panic, fear, or obsessing about outcomes. Our now-and-forever belong to you, Jesus—along with everything else in the cosmos. Live afraid, NO! Instead…
6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” With palms up, Jesus, we give you the people who fuel our anxieties, the storylines we’d love to finish, the heartaches we’d love to heal, and the circumstances we’d love to alter.
7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We’re grateful to have you, our Father, and the Spirit as the grace-garrison for our hearts and minds. Peace in the storms, calm in the chaos, amity in our hearts… what more do we need?
8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Jesus, you are the truest, noblest, “rightest,” purest, loveliest, most worship-worthy and trust-fully reality there is. More than just think about you, we want to live preoccupied and smitten with you. So Very Amen.