Grasping and reflecting God’s goodness
In the last few weeks, something has repeatedly caught my attention – it’s this idea of goodness.
The first time was when we were sitting around the dining room table having just finished the main meal. We were all sufficiently stuffed, and yet we knew that dessert was yet to come – because what is a meal without a little something sweet to top it off? The table was cleared and then two different types of apple pie appeared. As we were savouring the light flaky crust, which enveloped the sweet and yet slightly tart apples, someone made the statement, “That crust is really good.” The statement caught my attention, not because it was an inaccurate statement – because my wife did in fact make a very good pie crust – but it was the use of the word “good” to refer to a pie crust.
The second time that I noticed the word “good” being used was referring to the Toronto Blue Jays and how good they were hitting lately. Again, the use of the word “good” in relation to how well someone hit a baseball was interesting because I have been thinking about the word “good” or “goodness” as it is listed in the fruit of the Spirit.
These are very different ways to use the word “good” or “goodness.” Rather than thinking of the word “good” being used to refer to a pie crust or how well someone is hitting a baseball, let’s instead unpack how the word “goodness” is used in Galatians 5:22.
The fruits of the Spirit refer to the characteristics that are produced in us as we follow the Lord and reflect his character as the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives. So, how does goodness look when it is being practically lived out in our lives as followers of Jesus? It begins with recognizing God’s goodness toward us, and then we reflect that outward to those around us.
I remember one of the first prayers that I learned to pray growing up went something like this: “God is great, God is good; let us thank him for our food, Amen.” Now I know other families had an additional part to that prayer; however, our family liked to express our gratitude and then get right to the eating.
What does it mean when it says, “God is good?” How are we to emulate him in that goodness?
Goodness has an element of being morally upright in both character and in action. It indicates a positive striving for what is right. This would also be evident in one’s actions and in how one treats those around them. Serving and generosity are practical ways of living out what it means to demonstrate goodness. Think about how you have been served and had generosity extended to you by the Lord. Now think about how you can be that for those around you. Take note of how you serve your family, your neighbours, your congregation, and those you encounter each day. Would those around you, both your closest family and friends and more casual acquaintances, say that God’s goodness is reflected in how you relate to others and your circumstances? With generosity being one mark of goodness, maybe that first prayer I learned as a child wasn’t so far off connecting God’s provision and generosity with food!
For the next few weeks, I invite you to take note of how well you demonstrate goodness to those around you. Ask yourself, How is God cultivating the fruit of goodness in my serving and generosity toward others?
Doug Meyers is one of the program directors at the Alberta Kerith Retreats location with his wife, Roxy. For more information about our retreats, visit KerithRetreats.ca.