Western Echo Newspaper Article

For Goodness Sake

Much of what I do and don’t do is based on what I functionally believe is good. For example I like things to be fast, slow = bad. I ride a motor bike, I like playing squash more than tennis and I like anything that is intense. But recently I’ve come to realise that fast is not always good. Sometimes missing the bus and having to wait can benefit me by forcing me to slow down (assuming I’m not calling fire down from heaven).

Slowing down means that I’m more likely to have to face my fears and hurts which ‘fast’ helps me avoid. I know that some people choose to escape their fears by withdrawing, personally, emotionally and perhaps even physically. Why do I find it easier to play computer games, to hide in my man cave rather than make the effort to relate to my wife and kids? It’s because good = what makes me feel good. That varies a lot from person to person. Maybe romance, sex, alcohol, drugs, novels, movies, comfort food are what feels good to you.

Here is what I believe is always good. These are qualities that we should seek to develop; “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).” These qualities are the very nature and character of Jesus Christ which explains why they are called the ‘Fruit of the Spirit.’ As we face 2010 lets be more thoughtful about what we will try to achieve, avoid and consume. Instead of seeking what makes us feel good the challenge is for us to do good for goodness sake.

Listen to or watch my messages on this theme @ www.godsgap.net/goodness