"The fruits of the Spirit are joy, gentleness and goodness."

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Philippians 2:1-13

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

We are so fortunate for so many reasons. Many of us have health, most of us have financial resources that give us all we need, and more. And even those of us who struggle have the support of one another in our church family and our extended connections to keep us going and keep our heads above water.  So, it is often hard, in the midst of such blessed good fortune, to feel the pain of persecution and hardship.  

The early Christian church struggled to stay alive in the midst of persecution. Paul himself had been a strong persecutor of Christian people. He knew from both sides of the fence what that persecution meant and could mean. So, when Paul is speaking to the Philippians  in this week's text, his words take on a special import.  Being united with Christ wasn't an easy thing to do, but he encourages them to be of the same love, same spirit and mind as Christ.  He says it will make his joy complete.  The joy Paul has receive in uniting his heart with Christ has literally changed his worldview.

How could we model the behavior Paul suggests, "do nothing out of self ambition... rather in humility value others above yourselves"; how can we be humble, caring, compassionate people... people who share a sense of gentleness and goodness?  Can that transform the world? I think it can.

You see, we often think that we must be out there loud and vocal, flashy and shiny, to transform things. But Paul suggests here that our desire to exhibit humility like Christ will change lives. And the three Fruits of the Spirit this week are "gentleness, goodness and joy."  Imagine how much better the world would be if we were always exhibiting gentleness and goodness, not only to each other but also to ourselves, After all, the commandment "love your neighbor as yourself" requires no less than that. Treat yourself gently and with goodness.  Feel good about what you can do for the world. Talk softly and be kind.  In the midst of gentleness and goodness.... there we find joy.  Unspeakable joy.

I'm jumping ahead a bit, but let's consider the nativity story.  In the midst of the chaos and harshness of having no place to stay and being tossed in among the animals, Jesus is born. In all the trials and labors and pain of a birth that happens in an unpredictable place among unpredictable witnesses, you'd think this story would be troubling. But what we choose to notice in this story is the mother "pondering things in her heart," the lowly shepherds bowing in awe and wonder, and a baby gently offering goodness and joy, even now.

Gentleness. Goodness. Joy. How are these present in your life? How have they been offered to you?  Email me or comment below.