Lenten Reflection for February 18th

One of the questions I want to spend time reflecting on during this journey is what are some guiding principles to help us in discerning change and transformation rightly? One area we might look at would be, are the gifts we have been given bearing ‘good fruit’ in our lives, and where?

A signpost of sorts could be from the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, those attributes which are formed within us when we follow Christ and are reflecting a Christlike character. 

A fruit of the Spirit that can come from the ‘wisdom from above’ is Gentleness. In Scripture James writes, ‘Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.’ (James 3:13) 

In tense moments, our first inclination might be to react harshly, with impatience, anger and perhaps in an unkind way. Wisdom is being mindful of how we react in any situation, how we treat those around us. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) 

When we find we can more easily curb our impatience and treat others with kindness and gentleness even in very tense situations, we can know that the Fruit of the Spirit of Gentleness is growing in us and transforming our heart.

God bless you!

Lenten Reflection for February 17th

Some of the sacred teachings we find across North American Indigenous cultures are called the Seven Grandfather Teachings, these are considered to be some of the oldest ‘laws’ and lessons that have been passed down through generations.

One of these teachings speaks about the importance of Wisdom. We are taught that Wisdom comes from listening, from experience and from exercising good judgment in our actions especially toward others and the world around us. We also hear that Wisdom comes from cherishing knowledge and using our intelligence. 

The animal that represents wisdom in these teachings is the beaver. The beaver uses natural gifts wisely for survival. Beavers alter their surroundings in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way for the benefit of their family. We are advised to use our inherent gifts wisely and live our life by them.

In the above example, we see how ‘good’ wisdom is used for the benefit of those around us. We need to be aware that there is also a ‘worldly’ wisdom which is not meant to be beneficial and helpful to others, but rather used in a selfish way. In James’ epistle we are warned about this kind of worldly wisdom, inspired by envy, selfish ambition and bitterness.

James then clarifies and shares what wisdom inspired by God looks like,

‘’…the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.’’ (James 3:17)

Wisdom from above and inspired by the Holy Spirit will produce good fruits, over the next few days I’d like to reflect further on what some of those fruits might look like as we cultivate the gift of Wisdom.

God bless you!

Lenten Reflection for February 16th

It’s always a joy to receive a gift that shows the giver put a lot of thought and care into choosing. Sometimes when I receive a useful gift, if I don’t use it right away, I put it away and store it for a while. I might store it for several months and perhaps forget about the gift. When I find it again, I wonder why I had left it for so long when I could have been using it the whole time.

The gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit are meant to be useful to our lives, which we need to ‘open’ to fully experience. Praying and discerning over these gifts can help us to sense where the Lord is working in our lives, how He wants to mold our hearts for His will. 

In the Scriptures, we are encouraged in several places to seek out Wisdom. The benefits of pursuing Wisdom are listed especially in the book of Proverbs, 

“…you will understand righteousness and justice

    and equity, every good path;for wisdom will come into your heart,

    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul…” (Proverbs 2:9-10)

I’ve read a description that says, ‘’Wisdom is a gift that allows a person to understand things from God's point of view. In other words, Wisdom allows a person to recognize truth’’, Perhaps this is why Wisdom is emphasized throughout the Scriptures so many times, a gift that allows us to know truth and to walk even more closely with our Heavenly Father! 

During Lent, I pray we can have the wisdom to not set these gifts aside, but to seek and grow in them over the next few weeks. 

God bless you.