It doesn’t take a Rhodes scholar to identify the difference between a good and poor working environment. Depending upon your field of work, I’m sure you can identify at least one disgruntled co-worker. This individual doesn’t need much to incite their latest rant. A few weeks ago, I had an interaction with a woman who went off the rails over something minuscule. The words she spoke was like venom from a poisonous snake, sucking out the joy of everyone in her presence.
And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.3 And God blessed (spoke good of) the seventh day, set it apart as His own, and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all His work which He had created and done, Genesis 2:2-3.
As I start to study the Bible from the beginning of the Old Testament, several words have stood out to me. The Creator of the heavens and the earth didn’t just work hard to complete this project. Rather, God spoke life into the creation of our planet. Following each sunset, signaling the end of each day, God reflected upon what was specifically fashioned and formed. Rather than the perfectionist who mutters, “I could have done better,” God spoke good of each created being and thing.
For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. 9 Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of [e]untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you, Philippians 4:8-9.
The apostle Paul builds upon this concept in a letter to the Church at Philippi. The context of Paul’s words come shortly after mentioning Christian helpers whose names are in the Book of Life. Paul suggests that the greatest accomplishment on earth is living a life that honors God so that your eternal destination is secured, 1 John 5:12-13. One of the ways this is accomplished is through speaking good. May today’s passages inspire you to become a positive voice in your spheres of influence.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 