But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
If you have spent any time in the church, chances are you have heard people talked about the goodness of God. When I was growing up in the church in the 2000s, it was common to hear someone say “God is good,” followed by “all the time.”
God is good. All the time.
There are songs that sing of his goodness and psalms that exhort his all-powerful name. After all, God created this world in his own perfect design and when Adam and Eve committed the first sin, God showed mercy and sent his one and only son so that we may not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Despite sin marring us, God still loved us and sent his son to us so that we may be redeemed.
God is good.
But, dear friends, do you ever find hard to find those goodness of God moments? It is easy to see the good when things are looking up, when the sun is shining and we woke up early and got to work on time and are tackling the day with boldness. It is easy to see how God is good. There is so much to be thankful for.
But what about the days when there is grief or fear. What about finding or remembering the goodness of God then? To me, that is so much harder. To me, that is when I want to burrow deep into my blankets and stay home. And yet that is when I feel the goodness of God even more clearly, it is light and gentle but it is there.
Last summer, I was driving to visit my grandmother. It was an annual summer trip. However that day, I left earlier than planned when I got word that Grandmother was declining. I was an hour away when a thought struck me. I may not make it in time. Immediately, I gripped the steering wheel, pressed against the gas pedal, and began to fervently pray. As I prayed, I felt a hand touch my cheek and I said, “Maybe that’s God telling me I’ll be okay.”
So I kept praying to God, telling my grandmother to hang on, and singing along to my shuffled Spotify playlist. I counted down the minutes. I parked in front of her house, stilled my heart and nerves, and hurried to the front door where I learned she passed away at the exact time I had the thought that I may not make it in time.
I say this, dear friends, not to ask for pity or condolences. But to say, I felt the goodness of God in my grief, even when I didn’t realized it at the time. I felt God whisper in my ear, telling me that my grandmother had joined him in Heaven, and that I would be okay. I felt the hand of God on my face as I drove down the highway.
The goodness of God is gentle and light. Often not recognized until your heart has calmed, until your breathing as re-regulated. But it is there, whispering to you, telling you that all is good.
It is there, because God cares. God is there to “wipe every tear from [your] eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (Revelation 21:4).” Even when it is hard to feel it, he is there to remind you of his goodness.
The goodness of God is there when everything comes crashing down, then you hear that song that slows your heartbeat and you stop and smile.
The goodness of God is there in desperation. Sending visual signs, like a rainbow, and you take a deep breath and smile.
The goodness of God is there when your mind is racing, your mental to-do list is pages long and then a stranger stops you and pays for your coffee or gives you a bouquet of flowers for “just because.”
The goodness of God is there when a friend asks you, “how are you?” And instead of the usual “I’m fine,” you break down and you tell the friend everything that is going on.
The goodness of God is there whispering to you, waiting for you to lean in to the goodness.
How do you feel the goodness of God? How do you know it is the goodness of God?
- Listen to worship music.
- Read the Bible. Even on the days you can’t, just read one verse in Psalms. I like Psalms 23.
- Talk to a trusted friend or spiritual mentor.
Elizabeth