What Should I Meditate On? Whatever Things Are True
In an ever-increasing confusing and chaotic world, how are we to fix our eyes daily on Jesus? How can we meditate on whatever things are true?
The other day I was scrolling through Twitter and quickly found myself asking why. It is not a place I walk away from with more peace, understanding, or better knowing the ways of Jesus. This particular day was filled with actual doomsday headlines and rage-inducing bad faith arguments. That is until none other than Mr. Fred Rogers interrupted my feed with an invitation to think differently.
The quote that stopped my thumbs from scrolling read, “I don’t think we give that gift anymore (the gift of silence). I’m very concerned that our society is much more interested in information than wonder. In noise, rather than silence…how do we encourage reflection? Oh my, this is a noisy world.”
Right there in the middle of what seems to be spinning our world out of control was a different kind of offering. Mr. Rogers was onto something. He knew even before twenty-four-hour news cycles that this world was noisy. Paul had something to say about this, too. In the book of Philippians, he offers an exhortation that we would be wise to practice daily.
How are we to encourage reflection?
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8, NKJV)
The Bible uses the word meditate over 30 times, with 19 being in the book of Psalms. When used here, it is always tied to something that returns our hearts to the Lord. Let us consider the very first Psalm. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the ways of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his laws, he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-3)
The Bible Project describes the book of Psalms as “an intricately designed collection of poetry that recounts Israel’s history and God’s covenant promises.” You don’t have to look far in the book of Psalms to find something worth meditating on, and it is a place full of reminders of noble, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtuous and praiseworthy things.
So what do Mr. Rogers, Paul, and the book of Pslams all have in common? They are all suggesting the same thing, just in different ways. Mr. Rogers is making a plea of sorts. He is speaking prophetically to the noisy world we live in and how easily it is to get swept up in it.
If you’re like me, silence and stillness aren’t necessarily my default modes. It is easier to engage in the noise than it is to get still and meditate on the word of God. I know that if I don’t intentionally set aside time in my day that it won’t happen. In this season of life, I use my mornings for that. On the days I don’t know where to start, and there are many, I go back to Paul’s exhortation or open up my Bible to the book of Psalms. I know I can find it there when I don’t know how or what to pray. The beauty in all of this is that God will always meet us when we meditate on His word.
In His Word
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8, NKJV)
In Your Life
For the next week, follow this practice. In your journal, note what Paul outlines for us to meditate on. That which is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. Pay attention to how your heart is orienting towards God in this time.
We Recommend
The Bible Project is a place that I often reference when I have questions about the Bible, and I even use the videos they have created for my five-year-old. Check it out here, and make sure you download their new app!
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