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When I was a young lad, “finding good” meant getting stuff I wanted. Stuff requires money, and I had a plan—buried treasure. My method for uncovering hidden wealth? A metal detector, of course. I had seen models advertised in glossy brochures, and I just knew this was my ticket to a boatload of goodies. All I needed to get started was $129.95!
What is the world’s method for finding good?
Get some “me time”—take a vacation, entertain yourself.
Consume something—go shopping for a new outfit, new kitchen, new car, new you.
Do what is “nice”—perform correctly in what you say.
This is Americana, 21st-century style: surface level and two inches deep. No chance of drowning here, folks.
Well, enough about that. Let’s move quickly to where we need to be as followers of Christ. We are sojourners—strangers and pilgrims passing through this world. How are we to find good? Simply put, God grounded us on the earth and raised up His Son that we would lift up our eyes, fixing them on Jesus as we walk this life.
I urge you, know Him deeply, spend time with Him, and think on His promises. I’m in the midst of reading the gospels and am reminded of Mary, mother of Jesus, who heard great prophecy spoken of her Son that He is Savior and a Light of Revelation to the Gentiles. Mary treasured these things up in her heart; she pondered them—bringing them to mind frequently, searching out their meaning, and looking with hope to their fulfillment.
How precious a thing. How glorious a tribute. How wonderful to be known by a practice of finding good. You’ve heard it said in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Remember also, then, the foundation given in Philippians 4 that enables this: “stand firm in the Lord, my beloved” and “Rejoice in the Lord always.”
If you want to be a “good finder,” you’ve got to be a Jesus focuser. Straining to put on a happy face or pursuing a fake-it-until-you-make-it policy will only end in exhaustion or self-delusion. The Apostle Paul found a different way:
“I have learned to be content in any and every circumstance.”
It is through this attitude of Paul’s, founded in focus on the person of Jesus Christ, that we turn to one of the most misused verses in all of Scripture: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” It’s not a call to achievement or abundance, but a call to contentment. Not to pursuing more, but through saying, “Enough.”
But what about when life just stinks?
There is time for recollection of difficulty and trauma experienced. There is value in reflection on one’s being and situation. When those things are brought to light, bring them to the Light. Give Jesus the final say on every hurt, every hindrance, every idea, every stronghold that stands in opposition to God!
In line with childish desires, we can spend our days sifting through sands for nickels, or we can send our eyes skyward, to the Lord of glory and to our future together. Find good. Not in “good” circumstances that may come, but in the good Savior, that is now and forever will be!
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