The Journey Continues: A Spiritual Palate Cleanser

"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

Decades ago I had a roommate who would curate (by that I mean cook) wonderful five-course meals for our church friends or fellow choir members. Typically after the main course he'd bring out the salad, which served as a palate cleanser, preparing us for the remaining lighter courses and eventually dessert.

I find in my walk that every once in a while I need a "palate cleanser". For example, I'll watch something that isn't necessarily "bad", but it leaves my spirit cluttered, unsettled or spiritually dull. 

And I find that my "palate cleanser" must be something good, beautiful, or faith-focused. I may watch an episode or two of The Chosen, or I'll go onto YouTube to find a beautiful choral video or a road trip video just to refresh my spirit. Just as Paul wrote to the Philippians, I choose to think about these things, or as another translation states it, "meditate on these things." (NKJV)

The world is so intrusive, with phone notifications, emails, texts, and content that is meant to pull us one way or another, that we need to have our own palate cleanser to recenter and refocus our spirits upon the Living God. It's not just the removal of the unpleasant content, it's replacing it with content that returns us to God. 

What is your palate cleanser?