"I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are, the delight is incomplete till it is expressed." C.S. Lewis (Reflection on Psalms)
I came across this quote a few weeks ago and I think it true, the praising of a thing, even the silent approval in the privacy of our minds, IS the culmination of our enjoyment of that thing. We praise the things we love and enjoy most in life. A husband telling his wife that he finds her beautiful; a sport fan cheering wildly when his team wins an upset victory; a braggart, enamoured with himself, prattling ceaselessly about his virtues and accomplishments.
With each example, the acts of praise are far from arduous endeavours; rather, in proclaiming their delight in the objects of their admiration, the praisers' enjoyments are increased. In fact, were they somehow prevented from voicing their pleasures (perhaps by shyness or embarrassment), their joy would be diminished. This is praise! We are wired and designed to delight in things. A person who never compliments, never admires, never praises is a joyless person.
Now, at least within christian circles, the word "praise" generally conjures images of people singing worship songs on Sunday mornings. Many of us miss the point that we praise things besides God ALL the time. And here we come to the crux of the problem. If the objects of our most genuine and heartfelt praises indicate the where of our deepest satisfactions and, I would argue, worship; then it begs this eternally crucial question: How does our affections for God stack against everything else?
Let us joyfully praise the things we love and let our love for Christ grow till it ranks above all others.
Have a happy Wednesday,
Edward
"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." Philippians 4:8
Race against a champion marathoner for 60ft (4:46 min mile time over 26.2 miles)
http://gizmodo.com/5859048/giant-video-wall-lets-you-get-smoked-by-a-marathoner
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