devotional

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy – dwell on these things.

Philippians 4:8

Funny thing, the other day I was opening my Bible and I was unprepared for the avalanche of things that I stuffed into it that fell out onto my floor. Without realising it, my Bible had become a receptacle for memories. As I reached down to push them back into a pile, I stopped – startled. Not only were there birthday cards, letters, a bookmark, a dried flower, but there were also photos. One in particular arrested my interest.

It is a photo from 1976. Three small children with blonde hair and blue jeans stand on a footpath outside a farmhouse. In the background an Oldsmobile sedan with flashing hubcaps sits behind a wire fence. A whitewashed barn gleams brightly above it all. 

When I ponder that photo, a few things come to mind. The first is, whoever took the photo realised the focus for the viewer is not on the car (although it’s nice) nor the barn (also impressive) but on the kids. These three children are my brother, my sister and I – triplets. As the sun reflects off our faces in this faded picture, there is something pure and lovely about it. In the innocent faces of we who were as children I find something praiseworthy and I want to dwell on it. This was my grandparents’ house. They are beautiful people and always have been. This place and these people are part of my history. And I am thankful.

In the Bible verse above, as Paul writes to his friends in Philippi, he is certainly aware of the difficult circumstances in which he finds himself. Imprisoned falsely, he could have stewed with anger, fear and vengeance. But what we find from the Apostle Paul, the one who had found Jesus Christ along the way, was not anger but peace. How did he do this?

Because he dwelt on the things that are pure and noble and beautiful. Because he reflected on things that were honourable, lovely and just. Because he knew that Jesus was stronger than his imprisonment. While in the midst of terrible conditions (no freedoms), he was able to find peace.

If you are like me, thinking and/or speaking about COVID 19 and any of its restrictions is the opposite of what Paul was dwelling on. I don’t want to be locked up in fear and anger. I don’t want to be imprisoned by hopelessness. I don’t want to talk about COVID cases or border restrictions.

What I want to talk about are pure and lovely things, like the amazing young people who come to Good Shepherd every school day. What I want to think about are the families that populate this place with good humour, laughter and hope. When I look back at photos of school kids and their families, I find there is something true and honourable and just and pure and commendable. This is a place we can all dwell and find peace.

During the last term of 2021, I pray that we can dwell on all these praiseworthy things and have a peaceful end to the year. I pray that you might encounter Jesus on your path, too!

God’s peace.

Pastor Reid

Chapel Songs

Are you missing our Chapel songs? 

We would like to invite you to our Good Shepherd Lutheran School Chapel Songs 2021 Playlist on YouTube.

To find a selection of songs that we have sung in Chapel so far this year,  click here.