The Practice of Attention
For Meditation (Corey Widmer)
This Sunday we move into the final chapter of Philippians. In 4:2–9, we receive one of Paul’s most practical teachings about how we experience joy and peace in the midst of the life we actually have.
Paul writes these words from prison, surrounded by circumstances he can't control. And yet he seems remarkably attentive to the goodness and presence of God: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable…think about such things.”
Paul seems to understand that what we repeatedly give our attention to shapes the lives we experience. Our troubles are real, and Christian faith never asks us to ignore them. But our troubles are rarely the whole truth. Alongside what is painful and uncertain, there is also beauty, grace, goodness, and always the presence of the God who is near.
This Sunday we'll consider that resilient joy is the learned capacity to direct our attention toward the goodness and presence of God within the life we actually have.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion:
What has been occupying most of your attention lately? How is that shaping your emotions, attitudes, and experience of your life?
When you are anxious or afraid, what tends to happen to your attention? Does your field of vision become narrower?
Paul says, “The Lord is near.” What might change if you became more attentive to God’s presence in the circumstances you are facing right now?
What is true, good, lovely, or praiseworthy in your actual life that you may have been overlooking?
What practices, both individually and communally, could help train your attention toward gratitude, beauty, truth, and the presence of God?
Philippians 4:2–9
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.