If you haven’t yet decided that Apostle Paul was/is a fine psychologist you might want to consider it. He said if you want God’s presence and God’s peace, then think on—whatever things are lovely.
If the words from Philippians came from God to build a place for His presence and peace to dwell, I want to have confidence that I can take Him at His word, and He said it to Paul and He means it for you and me.
From Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance:
“Lovely (Strong’s 4375) (prosphile is a relationship word derived from pros= towards + philes = friend) refers to that conduct which is dear to someone. Lovable, endearing, amiable, gracious, charming, pleasing, winsome.
“It is conduct which is pleasing in its motive and actions towards others. Lovely has the idea of that which is admirable or agreeable to behold or consider.”
“Whatever is lovely and loveable, think on these things…” (Amplified Bible).
After reading that today was the “lovely” day, I was surrounded by gray and bleak. When was the last time some thing appeared lovely to me? Ugly dominates airwaves, many secular songs and news reports. I really did not want to go into the market place today. Our governor didn’t call an absolute lockdown, so I had to go. What is lovely out there?
An encounter with a challenged acquaintance pushed me to ask myself, what do I parrot? What influence fine-tunes my brain?
A few days ago, I decided I will not give access to my brain, or my attempt at civility, to anyone who uses the F-word or MFer word, makes fun of, puts down, or ridicules people. Gone! How can I think on lovely things when ugliness, vulgarity and stupidity—things that make no sense—sit at the door like a cat waiting to rush in? A boundary says I can’t, nor I desire to, tell you what to think or say or do. I will say you (generic term) can’t say or do those things in my presence. The boundary has been established.
There is a stretch of Interstate—I think it is between Emporia and Kansas City or Wichita and Emporia. Inexplicably it has shown up in my mind often in recent weeks. We have driven that stretch at sunrise, sunset, midnight. Best going north late afternoon. It is lovely. Rolling hills with vast colors and crops. The very thought makes me smile and mutter a pleasant word.
Another video runs in my head. It is a customized vehicle with the hood open. Chrome bonnet and clean engine. Some of my friends, more educated about cars than I, see beauty in that vehicle. It is more than the grease is gone, it is about the work and expertise that went into making that car or pickup awesome. Lovely. Some buildings, some living rooms, porches are lovely. Some peach cobblers and pumpkin scones are lovely and delicious.
I didn’t find much lovely out there, today. Obviously, it could have been there. Given my mindset I missed it. Everything is a threat. Covid hides behind every breath and on every surface. People are afraid and defensive—protecting themselves against every possibility. I don’t know if I can trust newscasters or opinionators that seemed “safe” in September. We are in an information war—winner takes all, changes the world. My world! The Constitution and our way of government may be at stake.
Lovely is an essential.
My day was rescued by a conversation between Donald Miller and Seth Godin about creativity. It was lovely—why? It motivated me, gave me substance to act on and brought light to the dark prospects. My soul took on a brighter hue. Tools. It gave reasons to recalibrate my thinking. The interaction revealed optimistic, hope-trending hearts.
Those are some things to think about that may present loveliness. Again, loveliness is about relationships and people we interpret as lovely and loveable. I’ve got a list.
Lovely is essential to keep the barbarians and beasts outside the fence. It cleanses the ugly and offers evidence that sewage has not flooded our world. Lovely–Like an essential oil in a diffuser.
©2020 D. Dean Benton
Benton Quest House 