Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

“Discerning what is Best”

Philippians 1v9-10 “That your love may abound … so that you may be able to discern what is best …’” (NIV)

There are lots of good things in this world:

There are fewer things which are best.

There are lots of good things we can do:

There are fewer things which are best.

There are lots of good thoughts we can have:

There are fewer thoughts which are best.

God’s calling on our lives is not just for good, but for best. It is not just a “not being bad”, but a becoming fully like Christ. A few years ago, it was popular to have wrist bands with “What Would Jesus Do?” printed on them – that is a question leading us to the best in any situation.

How can we discern what is best? Paul states in the verse above that such discernment flows from a heart of love. As our love towards God grows, our love for what he loves grows; this love becomes the “magnetic north” for our “decision-compass”, and so we are able to make decisions for the best. Our love in line with his love, our heart in line with his heart, our choices in line with his choices: this is THE best.

May the Lord pour out his love into your heart so that you may choose what is best today,

With love and blessing,

Roland