But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5: 22-23a
I didn't realize how hard it is to define "goodness" until I had to prepare for this week's newsletter. We use the word "good" all the time... "I'm good, thanks." "She's a good kid." "That place has good ice cream." But what does it really mean?
Goodness, as explained in this article, is "the rightly-ordered motivation behind our desire to act well... it prioritizes what God desires: love of others, rightness, justice, and mercy." Being good goes beyond doing the right thing because it comes from the heart. It is our hearts (and actions) wanting to reflect God's goodness to others.
Goodness doesn't come by our own strength - only God's. This week, ask God to help you choose goodness - - not because we want to act good, but because He has shown even-more goodness towards us.
On Sunday, we will be sharing the story of Lydia (Acts 16: 11-15, 40) as an example of a woman who reflected God's goodness to Paul. Another great example of goodness in action is the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37) and I encourage you to review this parable with your kids. Try to identify ways the Good Samaritan reflected God's goodness to the injured man. This week's ResKids Gazette has discussion questions, prayer and activities for both the Good Samaritan and the story of Lydia. Check it out!