Help is one of the most powerful words in the world. It’s a starting point for healing, faith, humility, growth. Confessing four little letters can completely change the trajectory of your life.
-Psalms 54:4 God is my helper, the sustainer of my soul.
Fruit of the Spirit—Goodness by Lauren Abraham
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
“As the Holy Spirit works in our lives, our character is transformed. In the areas of our lives where we once held onto sin, which reflects our human nature, we can now possess the fruits of the Spirit and reflect God’s character.
One of the fruits of the Spirit is goodness. So, what does this mean, and how can it be applied to our lives?
Growing up, we were often told to “be good.” Maybe this looked like helping your mom with the household chores or getting good grades in school.
I think the true meaning of the word “goodness” is commonly overlooked, though. Goodness is action; it’s not something we do only for the sake of being virtuous.
When we strive to be “good” only for our own benefit, it is not truly goodness that we possess. In Greek, the word goodness, “agathosune,” means “an uprightness of heart and life” (Thayer & Strong, 1995).
When we act out of true goodness of the heart and reflect the fruit of the Spirit, we are obedient to God’s commandments and seek the benefit of others. Our actions come from a place of selflessness, and we place the needs of others before our own.
Does this sound familiar?
The life of Jesus Christ is the perfect example of goodness, as He died on the cross for the sins of humanity in order to give us the gift of eternal life. His ministry and sacrifice is an example of God’s goodness toward mankind. After all, the term “gospel” means “good news.”
Peter, a disciple of Jesus, talks about the goodness of Jesus’ ministry in Acts 10:38: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”
In addition, Jesus is called the “good shepherd” in Scripture, because He laid down His life for His sheep.
We are called as Christians to live in a way that reflects the character of Christ. Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Goodness is not about doing elaborate things to gain recognition. Oftentimes, it is the small acts of goodness we do throughout our day that mean the most to those around us.
Is your friend having a bad day? Write them a note to let them know how much you care about them. Is someone putting you down? Pray for them.
It is in these acts of goodness that we reflect Christ’s character and possess an the fruit of the Spirit. While it may seem like no one notices, God does. Ultimately, when we show goodness, we bring glory to God’s name.”
What a season it has been.
A virus, unseen to the naked eye, wreaked havoc on all mankind for almost the entire year.
Drastically affecting one of the most natural things often taken for granted in our world, fellowshipping with one another.
Even the greatest introvert, who adores solitude, has missed having the ability to stand quietly near strangers in this season.
And as for the extroverts, well… all the social distancing has just about pushed them over the edge entirely.
Yet here we are.
With our masks and face shields, goggles and other protective, distancing gear.
We are here, not all but most.
We are here, fully alive in a completely upside down world.
Cures are being considered, vaccines created and yes, in time this too shall pass.
But as of today, while we are here, in the thick of it all, tired of it all, remember these three simple words: Don’t Lose Sight.
Don’t lose sight of goodness, hope, gratitude, purpose, love, kindness, faith, truth.
Don’t lose sight of God.
Just because “our normal” stopped existing, doesn’t mean God did.
In fact, with the ways of mankind coming to a screeching halt in 2020 perhaps our Divine Creator was simply giving each of us the time to reset, regroup, refresh and refocus on Him for a brand new season ahead.
Fresh snow on a cold winter’s day covers a once well-traveled path. Erasing all signs of prior activity, no shoe prints or hoof marks, no sprigs of dried grass peeking through, no fallen branches or twigs. Just a thick layer of pure white snow covering it all.
Untouched and untraveled, one might believe the flawless snowy path hints towards something new and mysterious, perhaps an opportunity of potential.
And yes, that may be true, but even the most magnificent path of fresh fallen powder has no real significance unless the path leads to warmth, truth and love. Unless it leads to You.
A spirit of pure worship doesn’t usually flow from me with the sound of music the way it does for others. Many lovers of God lose themselves completely in faith-filled lyrics and in instruments of praise. But not me.
Sometimes it comes across as a distracting noise for me. Not every time, but most times. Witnessing from a distance the intimate connection that transpires for others when a piano key tings or guitar strings vibrate has caused me question my worship. What is wrong with me, am I defective?
Scribbling in my journal one afternoon, feeling exceptionally content, it hit me. Music may not bring out pure worship in me, but let me sit down to jot a line or two of inspiration, or grab a paint brush and produce expressive art across a blank canvas, or use my hands to sprinkle glitter on glue and suddenly my spirit, my inner being, instantaneously connects with God.
Should my artistic expression come out exceptionally hideous it would not matter. There is simply something about a quiet creative moment that draws me close to my Creator. I sense His presence and feel the warmth of His Face shining upon me in a very real way. Sensing His presence in those moments, causes my very soul to respond in the way that many others do with music–pure worship.
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” – John 4:24
To be scattered in thoughts and in way is often considered a pointless state of being. Unfocused, undisciplined, all over the map in one’s mind is not something to particularly strive for but at times it is a reality. Right now it is mine.
Scattered thoughts, dreams, prayers not for any one reason or the other, it’s just where I am, it’s who I am.
So what does this scattered place say of me? What does it mean? Does it render me inadequate, am I now considered pointless? If my mind is everywhere can God still reach me ? Can He still speak to my heart, guide my spirit, use me for a greater purpose?
I suppose it depends on which voice I choose to believe. The voice that roars self-condemning judgement or the Voice of God that lovingly whispers, I am here. I am with you. In the midst of your scattered map I will lead you with purpose right back to My loving arms.
I think I’ll choose the latter.
“Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
– Romans 8:39
Red check marks, underlines, circles and highlights represented a problem that required correcting as a young student from my teachers. The crimson color reminded me that improvement was needed. It was a good thing. Wasn’t it?
As I grew, I adopted my own red marker nature. Inwardly check marking the areas of needed improvement within myself as well as those closest to me.
The marker became a way of life, keeping me on the edge of subconscious judgement. Stirring feelings of discontentment because corrections always need to be made. Don’t they?
Not good enough, check. Needs improvement, underline. Doesn’t meet requirements, circle. Can do better, highlight.
How did I become such a red marker prodigy?
I wonder, what would happen if I dropped the marker I’ve grown so accustomed to carrying?
If I actually released the inner tool of correction and proceeded on with life and interactions without it, would I still grow, mature, learn, improve? Would others?
Would being completely marker-less be a catastrophe? Or might it allow for a new found freedom?
Perhaps it’s time to drop the marker and find out.
I don’t look for chaos, in fact when I see it coming, I run hard the other way. Yet, there are seasons in life that no matter how far I run, chaos finds me. Like winds of a developing tornado, circumstances start out small, maybe a little gusty and then without warning picks up speed. Tornados grow faster, stronger, more powerful and quickly consume everything in sight.
With literal tornado’s it’s recommended to take cover but with personal tornados of chaos the only way to really survive is not to run and hide, but to face the whipping winds of chaos head on.
Why?
God is in the eye of the tornado just as much as He is in the calm that comes after. When the dust settles, things may look different than they once did but the opportunity to start again with a fresh perspective will be there.
Chaos-ful
Fully embrace the chaos, as God takes your hand and walks you through.
MY FIRST TRY at Palette knife painting needs much improvement but it was loads of fun…
LET ME TELL YOU—While I really couldn’t reflect it in the painting, Each boat represents a verse in a song I heard at church today that I really like.:
“I raise a Hallelujah”
1st boat= I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
2nd boat= I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Third boat= I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody…
Yep my painting skills may need help… Bur Whether it’s a good day (like today) or a not so good day… I always want to remember to raise a hallelujah.
I wander along this path called life.
Stumbling forward, falling backwards, circling around.
Then I remember— I’m not wandering aimlessly.
You designed this path.
I have purpose and direction. I walk in the steps you’ve laid out for me.
I am following Your lead and it is truly a wonder.
Author Monica Cane 