Philippi was the first European city Paul evangelized.  He obviously loved and missed the people in the church he planted there when he writes this letter to them from prison.  Many of Paul’s concerns in this letter are the practical concerns of someone giving advice to those they love.  They range from his concern in the early part of today’s passage about some differences between two members of the church to more general advice about leading the Christian life.  What strikes me as I reread this passage is how very positive Paul is in the middle of difficult circumstances.

I can never read “rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” without thinking of the happy praise chorus that uses those words for its lyrics.  It has been sung to many a grumpy retreat weekend participant as they struggle to awake for another day of learning about Christian living.  What is remarkable is how contagious the joy in those words of praise can be, even early in the morning.

Perhaps we should all have the last two paragraphs of today's passage pasted somewhere where we would see them often.  How easy it is to get caught up in the gloom of all of the world’s day-to-day “stuff.”  Somehow, I have to keep reminding myself again and again where my focus should be.  Paul has it exactly right.  The way we can not only survive, but survive with joy, is by being centered in Christ.  Notice Paul’s phrases; being “of the same mind in the Lord,” “rejoice in the Lord,” do not worry because “the Lord is near,” “the peace of God . . . will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

The shift we need is from a focus on what is wrong to what is right; onto what we have in God’s love through Jesus Christ.  Certainly it is not hard to find things that are wrong, and we can not afford to ignore all of them if we are to guard against them and work to change them, but there is so much that God provides that is “honorable,” “just,” “pure,” “pleasing,” “commendable,” and “excellent.”  Despite the muck that may be at our feet, God is still alive and well and good.  Oh that we could just more often raise our eyes and see it.  The God of peace is with us.  That is what makes it possible to rejoice and rejoicing changes everything!

What is there in your life, no matter what else may be going on, that is a reflection of excellence—of God’s love and goodness?

    revclay

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. 

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.  Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Let your gentleness be known to everyone.  The Lord is near.  Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.