Meandering - Photo Search: Gentleness

“Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak, and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass, and like showers upon the herb. For I will proclaim the name of the Lord; ascribe greatness to our God!” Deuteronomy 32:1-3

I’ve meandered recently about the importance of being watered spiritually in order to produce the sweet fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:23 ‘gentleness’ ) in our lives. Water is good. It refreshes and is necessary for healthy life. Yet, if it comes in torrents, or in heavy downpours, it can be far more harmful than helpful. Floods, that wash everything away, are identified more with judgement than with blessing. Gentle, consistent rains, however, along with goodly amounts of sunshine (Son-shine) bring vitality and growth.  

Our sin rightly deserves God’s just wrath and judgement like a flood. This flood of judgement came down on Christ, who took our punishment in our place on the cross, so that we would not be washed away forever. By faith alone in Jesus, he becomes an Ark of salvation (1 Peter 3:18-22), delivering and navigating the believer into a new world of spiritual renewal. His life, words, and teaching now come down to us like gentle rains and showers of blessing (Deuteronomy 32:1-3).

Photo by RaeAnne Bekkers

This month’s Meandering Photo on the theme of gentleness was sent in by RaeAnne Bekkers. She describes it as “a picture of God's gentleness in making such amazing flowers and strawberries for us to enjoy.” What a lovely picture, and it’s so true. Where our sin only deserved thorns and thistles (Genesis 3:17-19), God has graciously given us beautiful fruits and flowers to enjoy.

In Christ, may we also extend this refreshing fruit of the Spirit through thoughtful acts of gentleness and kindness to those around us. As Paul wrote to Titus, “…be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (3:1-2).

Thanks for meandering along with me,
Pastor Daniel