Think on These Things
It is a constant of modern living that we always seem busy. running here, running there, running everywhere! It amazes me just how much humans can do at one time. I have witnessed many a student listening to music, reading information from a computer screen and taking notes all at the same time. I am guilty of perpetuating this in my classroom – filling every spare moment with some kind of educationally valuable activity.
I have been called a patient person but I get extremely uncomfortable when forced to wait. I’m not talking about waiting for the new toy I just ordered online to arrive. While I’m waiting for that I have a multitude of other things to do. I’m talking about waiting that just takes up time with nothingness. You know, waiting in the car at the train crossing… Or in line at the council offices… Or in a hospital waiting room or ward. It is at these times I am forced to practice patience. They say it is a virtue but I do not feel as though I am being taught high moral standards as I wait, patiently. I feel like these times are wasted, surely my time could be better utilised than just exercising patience. But what to do? Listen to the radio in the car? Stare intently at my smartphone screen in lines? Read the, quite frankly frightening, information brochures at the hospital?
I had taken to listening to podcasts or music and the other day a song I hadn’t listened to for years came up in my shuffle playlist. It is called ‘Think On These Things’ by Petra and, from the title, I’m sure you can guess which Bible verse it is based upon.
Philippians 4:8 “… 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.” (ESV)
What to do while I’m waiting? Think on these things. Some may call it meditation or mindfulness or even prayer.
My family is currently dealing with some medical news and I cannot understate the power of thinking on these things. The world can be a harsh place – but it can also be a wondrous place. I’m not suggesting putting on the proverbial rose-coloured glasses to view the world. What I am suggesting is that instead of filling your waiting moments with noise, Candy Crush or worry, let your thoughts linger on the honourable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy things — the beauty of nature, the wonders of modern medicine, the ingenuity of mankind, the Glory of God.
