May 29th, 2020: Learning Discernment

 

 

Listening to the news can be a dangerous thing to do to our mental health and emotional well-being. We are bombarded with constant new developments and most of them are tragic. It might not be a bad idea to go on a diet away from the news so that we can regain some sense of sanity. We have to decide how we would like to invest our time to preserve our well-being.

It might be helpful for us to learn about true heroes in human history. Read about men and women who have been able to make a difference in life, have been using their gifts to make others better and have invested greatly in their passion for pursuing truth in various learning disciplines. Men and women who dare to go outside the accepted paradigm of their time to see the world in a completely different light. Who are these people in your life?

It might even better to learn from the true servants of humanity. Men and women who would sacrifice their lives with the hope that the oppressed, the poor, the disadvantaged and the discriminated in the world will be cared for. These men and women are extraordinary in their ordinary. I have met men and women who have spent their entire life in caring for the homeless, the addicts, the or mentally disabled. Have you met any of these folks?

It is also good to listen to beautiful music, to admire the work of talented artists, to read a good book or to enjoy a great meal together. Many gifted artists are like scientists. Their work and passion take us to a far-future ahead of our time. Others simply are bringing back the hidden beauty of the past intending to be more engaging in the present. Have you read a good book lately?

When we can do some of these things, we might be able to see the beauty, the fun, and the outrageousness of God in human history while going through our challenges and struggles at this present moment.

Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, 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.”