Some things are superior to others.
For the last three weeks, on my way to and from work, I have been listening and re-listening and listening again to Rachmaninoff’s second piano concerto in C# minor, performed by my favorite classical pianist, Vladimir Ashkenazy (at the expense of my usual sports talk radio). This concerto has been among my very favorites since I was first introduced to it in college. And, without much argument, it is considered among the best piano concertos ever written, if not the best. Listen to it and you’ll understand why. It is simply superior to others, and listening to it elevates both mind and soul.
Here is a very short list of other “superior” things:
The music of the Beatles is superior to the music of Milli Vanilli and 95% of other pop artists.
Pop music of the 80s is superior to pop music of the 2000s (IMHO).
Broccoli is superior to Waffle House hash browns (scattered, smothered, covered and deadly) for your physical health.
Exercise is superior to lethargy.
Drinking clean water is superior to drinking dirty water.
Authentically complimenting your spouse or a friend is superior to a sarcastic dig.
Doing whatever you do with excellence, with all your heart, mind and strength, is superior to doing your job half-way.
Sitting on a porch or park bench and viewing the tress, flowers, birds and sky is superior to viewing hours and hours of TV or internet junk.
Generosity is superior to selfishness.
You get the idea. And it’s not being harsh or judgmental to make these observations about many things in life.
So today (and this week, this month, this life) are you engaging in, thinking about, and embracing the superior things?
Paul reminds us of this in his New Testament letter to the Philippians. And I want remind you of his words today:
“Finally, brothers, 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” (Phil 4:8).
