A New Day

By: Pastor Johnie Akers 

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”  The apostle Paul, in our Scripture lesson today, underscores the value of focusing on the positive aspects of life, not the negative.  It is reminiscent of what author Steve Goodier, of Quote Magazine, once wrote:  “Both the hummingbird and the vulture fly over our nation’s deserts. All vultures see is rotting meat, because that is what they look for. They thrive on that diet. But hummingbirds ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants. The vultures live on what was. They live on the past. They fill themselves with what is dead and gone. But hummingbirds live on what is. They seek new life. They fill themselves with freshness and life. Each bird finds what it is looking for. We all do.”  So, what is your focus today?  Each of us will encounter many things that will try to fill our view today.  Some will be positive and beneficial; while other things will be negative, and try to pull us down and cause us to have a pessimistic attitude.  It is not so much as if we have control over the many things that will cross our path—for we may not.  However, what we dedicate our time, energy and focus to, is completely within our power.  We can either be like the vulture, and feast on the dead, decaying objects of the past.  Or, we can be like the little hummingbird and only see and feast off of the fresh new life each day brings.  The choice is ours.  Paul said in Colossians 3:1, 2 “If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”  I challenge you today to renew your focus; look for the very best this day has to offer, and in focusing on the blossoms of the vibrant, living present, you can enjoy all that our heavenly Father has prepared for us to be blessed with, for this and each new day.