Keep on the Sunny Side
The theme of June Cash's song, "Keep on the Sunny Side of Life," should be ours. The Bible puts it like this: "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 these things." (Phil 4:8 NIV).
Superficially, Christianity often seems to be all about doing right. The Bible does place an emphasis on good behavior. However, this was never intended to be a stand-alone idea. Things clarify when we see that the call to obedience is first meant to create the need for grace. Grace is the how behind personal change. With grace the focus becomes more about the atmosphere we live in, the perspective we have on life. We are what we eat, spiritually speaking. We live in the sunshine or in the shadows by our spiritual perspective.
The whole principle of keeping on the sunny side, or you might use the Biblical term, "walking in the light", is to live with a positive state of mind. We can let our minds dwell on the injuries and problems of life or turn to the fact that God is using them all for our good. We can entertain self-pity, a critical spirit, pride, resentment, and anger; or foster understanding, kindness, and forgiveness.
Seeing "obedience" as a call to "walk in the light" creates a more appropriate perspective than simply seeking to obey or do the right thing. The former defines the broader purpose and inspires a positive perspective.
Let me enlarge on this. We all carry an atmophere with us. It tends to involve our emotional state. That itself is the product of what we are thinking. If we are anxious, we reflect that. If we are angry or disturbed about something, our emotional state will reflect that as well. If we seek to dwell in a positive atmosphere, resisting the negative through a positive spiritual perspective, we will reflect that as well.
It's not hard to see this when you are aware of it. Something happens and you begin to react negatively. However, you can deflect that negative perspective by choosing to see it from the perspective of faith. This brings optimism and joy. This is not simply postive thinking. It is postitive thinking due to the postive perspective faith brings.
We need to consider what we allow in our lives - TV, movies, the Internet. These influences - will influence. They will encourage either clouds or sunshine, darkness or light.
We also need to walk in the light, morally speaking. There are things that we do need to do. The is not really about changing, nor making us right with God, but to facilitate peace with ourselves. There are some things we simply aren't going to feel OK with. Dealing with these issues clears the air, morally speaking, allowing peace and love to motivate real change. However, grace allows us to avoid perfectionism. We sabotage our peace when we try to be perfect. Under grace we learn to avoid sweating over the small stuff. When you really think about it, there are generally only a few big things that we really need to come to terms with at any point in time. The rest will take care of themselves as peace and love begin to motivate our lives. Grace appropriately allows many things to slide while we deal with the big issues. It helps us avoid getting preoccupied with trying to change.
The parable of the unclean spirit (Matt 12:43) illustrates our need to walk in the light. A man was delivered from an evil spirit but failed to fill the void with a positive atmosphere. After leaving the man, the spirit found no place to reside so he went back. He found the man's spiritual house empty. Seizing the opportunity, he, and seven other spirits worse than himself, filled that void.
We must fill the void created by "letting go" of our needs and cares. If we use all the opportunities God gives us to be grateful, our hearts will be filled, leaving little room for darkness. When we see God as our creator, each sunset, each rose, or mountain peak can touch our hearts. We experience love for the giver as well as gratitude for the beauty we see.
We can also fill that void with love. If we are abiding in God's love, if we are experiencing His grace each day, then we'll have something in our hearts to give. Let St. Francis' prayer be our own. "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy."
As Paul said in Romans 13:10, "love is the fulfillment of the law". It keeps our direction from being bogged down by rules. Love puts them in perspective. Love doesn't void appropriate guidance but uses it to bless others rather than as an instrument of self-righteousness and judgment. Love puts the rules on the sunny side.
If we walk in the shadows, our lives will show it. If we walk in the light of God's goodness, love, and care, we will reflect that light.
Copyright 8/04, Patrick Fagenstrom - edited 4/10