Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done. C.S. Lewis
How many times have you heard the word “unprecedented” uttered in the last few days and weeks? It seems as if news stories churn out at a break-neck pace. Each story seems to become more and more unprecedented as the news cycle drums on. I had hoped that Christmas would grant us a brief respite from the crazy but sadly, it did not. In the last few days I had the lovely opportunity to spend some time in New York. More specifically, Long Island. As always, our flight usually takes us to La Guardia or JFK. What did my wandering ears hear when we deplaned? Drones! They were all over Long Island and even spotted near the airport. Who had that on their 2024 news bingo? With that little nugget of information we decided to stay for our trip and hope for a flight home. Thankfully, we made it home in one piece back to the wilds of the deep south.
Life seems unprecedented at the moment
After contemplating the drones, crazy unprecedented news and the impending time of Christmas parties filled with political opinions; I wondered, with all that is going on, what kind of lenses can we view the world through? A lens that is clouded and full of fear or a lens that is full of joy, despite the swirling world around us? In I Corinthians Paul shared that right now, we see through a clouded mirror. Why is that? Most certainly that is because to see God in all His fullness represents certain death. When Moses asked God for a glimpse the Lord told him that no one could see God’s glory and live. While we can’t see God as He is right now He did leave us certain lenses to peer through and find some respite from the unprecedented times.
We are on a precipice as a people
I’ve mentioned it before, many others have opined this sentiment as well, it seems as if we are on a precipice as a people. God is getting ready to do something monumental for His people. The division is ripe for the picking, hatred rules so many and politics are ruining friendships. The precipice, the feeling of spiritual anticipation is so thick in the air you can cut it with a knife. Whether the next times that are ahead of us are full of blessing or calamity, God left us some mighty tools to not only bring us through the Christmas season but the coming year as well.
Our lenses are dirty and fail us
In Galatians, the Apostle Paul had some admonitions for those in the church of the day. They had fallen into some dirty lenses, full of fingerprints and dirt from lusts of the flesh. In fact, he admonished them for such behaviors. When we look through our dirty lenses (much like the church of the time) we will see and produce some evil inclinations. Impure thoughts, lust for pleasure, idolatry, spiritism (invitations for demons), hatred, fighting, a feeling that everyone is wrong (except for those in your little group) and wrong doctrine. Add another layer of envy, drunkenness, murder and all manner of lusts of the flesh. Those will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. If you take a look, how many tribal in and out groups are there at the moment? Can you see those blurred and rotten fruits? The world is being ruled by the dirty lens of the flesh.
God’s lenses are a gift to us
God in His goodness gave us another way to walk through life via His Holy Spirit. The lens of the fruit of the spirit. When the Holy Spirit is given control of our lives, we are given the unique opportunity to see through the lens of Heaven. God gives us the lens of:
- Love: Christian love is the fruit of His Spirit in the Christian. The word used is Agape. A type of love that is selfless, unconditional and often universal. He gives us His love. Not our imperfect estimation of love but His perfection of love.
- Joy: A joy, gladness and delight. The word Chara is derived from charis which means a grace or gift. It is a joy that only God can give.
- Peace: Eirene. This signifies more than absence of conflict; it implies deep inner tranquility and harmony. This peace transcends external circumstances. When Jesus came to us, He told us that He wanted to give His peace to us. Not the world’s peace that is fleeting but his sereneness.
- Patience: The quality of being patient and enduring despite unprecedented circumstances. Makrothumia means long suffering, an ability to endure for a long time.
- Kindness: Chrestotes. Good-heartedness, genuine consideration for others. I often hear the little old ladies that I work with say, “There’s no kindness like God’s kindness. It will cause the weak to come God’s way.” Kindness from the heart of God produces fruit. You may not see it initially but the seed has been planted.
God gives us more lenses:
- Goodness: Agathosune means to have moral uprightness of heart. To act with generosity. To take the lens of the self and extend your arms to others.
- Faithfulness: To have pistis is to be consistent in your commitment to God. That dependance produces the fruit of faithfulness that can clean our lens as the world dirties us up with its cares and tribulations.
- Self-control: Enkrateia is translated as “mastery over oneself.” There are some pretty disciplined people in my family, after all we are knee deep in the military. My boys have to get up and do the same thing, over and over to develop a habit. That discipline is essential to being a good soldier. We need to develop the discipline of turning to God’s word in times of trouble or when our personal discipline wanes with the problems of the world.
As we celebrate Christmas and the coming of an unprecedented New Year, may we rely on God’s Fruit of the Spirit to help us see through His lens when the crazy swirls around. Once again, dear readers; please take the time to touch some grass, dwell in God’s Joy and look to Him as the author and the finisher of your faith. God Bless You All.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
John 14:27
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