Galatians 5 has a wonderful resonance, especially verse 22 which is one of the most often referenced. It is often seen in a positive light, that we are (or should be) full of joy and such though it is probably safe to say most of us aren’t quite there yet. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Why then are we often not joyful, why do we not love (everyone), why do we lose our temper, why do we not have peace?
When we feel that way, does it mean the Spirit is not with us? No. It means we are human, we are sinners. We have faith, and sometimes we have doubts. We love and sometimes we don't because the other person is not worthy of our love. We are sometimes unkind for the same reason. We have double standards. We forgive ourselves but not others.
I just had a conversation recently with someone and said one of the problems many people are dealing with today is that society has become too self-centred. You are constantly told that you should be happy, that you can be anything you want to be, you deserve (whatever), there's someone out there perfect FOR YOU. This constant obsession with self-happiness is ironically the greatest source of unhappiness because we (or the other person) always fall short, never quite getting there, not meeting our expectations. Or if we are unlucky enough, we do get there (get something, find someone) and find out it isn't the fount of every blessing - to borrow a line from a popular hymn. And then what?
The answer is a well known cliche but one that we forget too easily. If we have the fruit of the Spirit, we know we have been blessed by grace and a perspective of gratitude should take centre stage in our lives. Being thankful is really the key.
If we are grateful, we remember and acknowledge all that He has blessed us with, even when we didn't know or asked for it. He loved us before we knew Him. He loved us though we didn't deserve it. And in return, He asks that we love others. And yes, the thought that there are others who don't deserve it crossed my mind but that is precisely why we can't help ourselves and will always fall short. An other-centric life (or at least one that isn't self-obsessed) is key.
We should love as He loved us and be joyful because of that. And then have peace because we realise that is what really matters. Which reminds me of a Timothy Keller sermon about Christmas. Each year at Christmas time, we hear the usual greetings about peace and joy and don't even really think about what it means. Keller said it wasn't about peace on earth (the other well-worn Christmas cliche) because (and I am paraphrasing here because well it's my memory which isn't so good anymore) if we understand human nature and how we are all sinners, we know it isn't really possible.
So beauty contestants need to be docked points for asking for "world peace". They are better off with Sandra Bullock's original answer in Miss Congeniality which is "enhanced punishment for parole offenders" :)
Keller points us to the real peace. The peace that comes from knowing God. Peace that lays to rest our longing for meaningless striving and achievement, though a single-digit golf handicap would be nice. Or for fleeting happiness, like a thing that we think would make us happy forever. Knowing God and how He loves and watches over us puts all things in perspective - and instructs us how to live our lives and it will come naturally (almost).
That is why we need to keep close to Him and reading His word, to remind ourselves because our sinful nature wants to forget, wants a distraction, wants happiness NOW. I need to keep focus and disciplined. That's my battle.
No comments:
Post a Comment