I won’t deny it. The picture below is of a giant pan of coleslaw. Really good slaw. I’m not ashamed to say it, but as I served churches across North Georgia, one of the first questions I asked people when I moved into town was, “Who’s got the best slaw around here?” People would ask why and I would quickly launch into what many people found to be a quite comical explanation of one my favorite foods: slaw dogs.
There’s plenty of opinions on the topic, especially around here. Now, I may be starting a fight but there’s some good slaw around here and I certainly have my favorite. Some say Longstreet, some say Loretta’s. Others may say Burger and Shake, Dairy Spot, Dairy Dip, Yonah Burger, Johnny’s BBQ, or Stan’s. Many of us really miss Turnstile Deli and Reid’s Cafe!
I have my qualifications for what makes it the best, but we can talk about that together when you have some time. Maybe we can even go to lunch! But it’s a fun conversation and hearing people talking about the best is entertaining.
“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 NIV
The glory of God is seen in godly things. We live in a world that focuses on terrible things; dark things; evil things. People expose their minds and their hearts to things that warp and pervert their souls. They start to believe those things, too, and we end up with all sorts of unnatural and ungodly ideas and lifestyles.
But God calls us to more. He calls us to a life that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (just to quote the Scripture for today). We are to think about such things and let those things guide our life and worship. If these are the things that shape us, then let us give ourselves to such godly things. And they are godly because they’re things God has defined, not man.
No, I am not telling you to think about slaw. But I AM telling you to dwell on the best of what God has store. Read His word, sing His praises, serve His people, tell of His mighty deeds and let others know why you have the hope you have (see 1 Peter 3.15). Talk about the best; about God’s best for you, for others; for the sinner and the saint.
—Pastor Whit