Truth & God's Most Excellent Harmonies

If asked, we would all likely say that we want to know the truth.

There is power and freedom in truth. We have tasted it and we know it.

But we tend to fill our minds - and thus, even our hearts - with lies, untruths, misspoken words, myths and false beliefs.

We replay our mistakes. We remind ourselves of the things we're not good at. We hold ourselves captive to over embellished and misplaced guilt. We tell ourselves to give up, to stop trying because we're not worth it. We replay the negative self-talk without even realizing it!

You're not good enough. You messed up too badly. You're not the one who gets to do that. You're not worthy of that. You are always messing up. Why can't you just get it right? Why can't you get your act together? You're too fat. You're too dumb. You're too short. You're too tall. You're too soft spoken. You're just the clown. You messed up before. You'll just embarrass yourself. You only disappoint.

Stop. Right. There.

Brothers and Sisters, fill your minds with, and meditate on, things that are true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. And God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

Yes. Yes. Yes!

Do you see what Paul reminds us here in his letter to the Philippians (4:8-9)?

Paul knows. He gets it. He of all people had reason to replay the lies in his head. He struggled in the same way we do with his own issues (the "thorn" in his side) and struggles (prison, beatings, trials, and more) and past (as a murderer). Yet, he shared with everyone the secret he had learned to make it through all of this negativity. At the crux of his contentment and the fulfilling of his purpose was this practice: filling his mind with positive, truthful things.

So how will we claim truth, or even know it when it comes our way?

Yes, Truth is found in scripture. Truth is found in the life and being of Jesus. Truth can also be found in many other places. TRUTH himself created all things, so the avenues from which Truth springs forth are infinite.

Poetry, Nature, Paintings, Conversations, Books, Sermons, Meditation, Children, Work, Play....

Truth is revealed to us when we are open to receive it.

And that takes a shift.

A shift in our awareness. A practicing of openness to allow Truth to flow to you from wherever it may be revealed.  A willingness to let go of our own thoughts, whatever they may be, and to hear the Truth from TRUTH. A shift away from talking and toward listening.

Have you ever heard a line in a song or on a TV show, in a book or a movie, that spoke directly into your being. Truth was revealed to you in that moment. No need to over-think it. Just accept it.

Have you ever seen a beautiful sunset, a rainbow, a lake, a mountain and been struck still in awe? Truth was revealed to you in that moment. Don't let it go too quickly. Take it in - deep within.

Have you ever heard a simple statement from your child that maybe didn't mean much to him, but meant the world to you? Truth was revealed to you in that moment. Marinate in that moment. Let your soul absorb it.

Begin believing moments like these. Don't discount them as happenstance and return to your negative self-talk! Instead, believe them! That is God speaking to you. That is God re-directing your thoughts. That is God turning your lies into Truth, little by little.

When we are reminded by Paul to think about good, positive, truthful things, he adds that God can then begin to work "his most excellent harmonies" within us.

My friends, we are all worthy of God's most excellent harmonies! That is what we were created for!

What is it that you are wanting to accomplish? What is it that you are stuck on? What is it that your mind and heart are racing in the hamster wheel about?

Begin to open yourself up to filling your mind and heart with more Truth and see what happens!

My friends, we can change the world!