“8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” — Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
Now that is a list of things that are praise worthy. Notice that these are all intrinsic attributes and not those that are simply on the surface. I see those things that require more thought and reflection as opposed to just visible to the eye. I may see these things, but the seeing just creates in me the curiosity to understand them.
I believe that too often we are looking for just those things that are immediately seen as those things that are worthy of accolades. We find celebrate the overt actions and bring attention to the one time that there was an act or action deemed great. When we come across that one instance, we lift it up as though it is something worthy of praise, while those “true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent” is overlooked as simply consistent and expected.
I have to remember that consistency is to be praised. I have to ensure that I am looking for and praising those things that are of God to lift up and celebrate. I have to be searching for the “true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent”. And when I find them, I have to sit up and take notice and give all glory to God who makes them possible and know that He is with me.
“9What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” — Philippians 4:9 (ESV)
What is it that you see as worthy of praise? Are you praising and celebrating the one thing that you see? What if you were to look more intrinsically and into the consistency in others that demonstrate the glory given to God as that to be praised?
Trevor's Thoughts 