Week Two: Expand – Leaning Into What We Don’t Yet Know
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.
Philippians 4:9
By Michelle McDevitt-Askew
A wise friend recently asked, “Where do you notice your attention going these days?"
I couldn’t help but think about events of the weekend before that involved family drama, and what my responsibility was supposed to be. There were many unknowns. I tried to stick to my boundaries, breathe and pray the Serenity Prayer, yet the weariness of what I was experiencing was telling me I wasn’t doing as great a job at letting go as I thought I was. My attention was pulled back to the past as I was trying to figure out the future.
I recalled an Advent devotional by Loretta Ross-Gotta. The wisdom that came from that devotional was the gift Mary had to give; she offered only space, love, and belief. Space, love, and belief were my navigating stars for December 2020 and lo and behold, it was exactly what I needed for February 2021.
Philippians 4:4-9 has that same effect on me; just about every time I read it, something helps me feel settled, focused, and guided. Paul’s writing style is one I get. I can be wordy, too! So, when Paul has a decidedly short (only 4 words!) sentence tucked in at 4:5, “The
Lord is near,” it gets my attention.
Philippians 4:8, the “Whatever” verse (not said with the sarcastic tone and disdain of a teenager) helps us to think (Greek word: Logizomai = dwell on), in the present, what is: true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent or praiseworthy, to really slow down and consider these things. And then, in verse 9, you and I get our marching orders. “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.”
I appreciate that this verse starts with “Keep on.” I can hear Paul’s encouragement. Maybe I am doing what it is I’m supposed to be doing, and I don’t have to create or start something new?
Maybe I don’t have to have it all figured out to take the next right step? Maybe I just need to keep going by refocusing my attention to the present and recall what I have learned (head knowledge), received (in heart and soul), heard and seen in Christ; which creates room for space, love and belief to grow.
