Define or Describe

Humans seem to like to define, label, and categorize things. Good definition requires perfect perspective. We can have confidence in definitions like “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) and “Eternal life is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.” (John 17:3) These definitions come from God. Rarely is my perspective so exhaustive. But even when I can’t define, I can describe. And I can be confident in my descriptions provided I’m humble enough to consider a new insight or another person’s different description. Defining closes the knowing venture, while describing opens it up. That can be endlessly rewarding!

Straining Gnats

You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. — Matthew 23:24

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees excelled at weighing people down with legalisms. Jesus calls them out for neglecting the more important matters of the law. And what are those? Our King says, sound judgment, lovingkindness, and faith. (Matt. 23:23)

Tire Marks

I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. — John 16:12

The fruit of God's Spirit is his nature coming to the surface. God is patient, so we will be too when the Spirit is leading. It's far too easy to move in the flesh, get revved up, and lose traction. Jesus gave us the metaphors of salt, light, yeast, and fragrance to show us that we will have more influence if we move at the pace of love and relationship.