Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Philippians 4:4-5 (NLT)

In the passage above there are two questions to consider. The first relates to the joy of the LORD in our lives. According to Dictionary.com, joy refers to “the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying.” Over the years I think many have referred to the “joy of the LORD” as simply happiness in life, but we sometimes miss the second part of the definition as the great delight is caused by something good. The LORD is what is good and so then we can experience His joy in our lives even when our current circumstances are less than ideal.

Next, Paul urges the Philippians to be considerate. In some versions, the translation is gentleness or reasonableness. What does it mean to be considerate? My dictionary reminds me that a considerate person is careful “not to cause inconvenience or hurt to others.” In short, a considerate person gives thought to how he/she acts. Consideration of others reflects the character of someone seeking the best for others and not just themselves. Shouldn’t that be reflected in our lives today?

Being a joyful person and being considerate of others requires being purposeful in our actions. So, instead of rushing through the day, let’s look for opportunities to reflect Christ’s character today.