These strange and challenging times call us to bear fruit of the spirit.  The world needs more patience, kindness, generosity, gentleness and love.  And I don’t know about you, but I see more of these things now than I did a month ago. Not sure if that reflects more on the world around me or on my changed perspective.  But from where I live these days, there can never be enough kindness as we traverse the uncertain terrain that lies before us in the coming weeks and months.
 
Another thing I’ve been thinking a lot about lately is control.  I’ve quickly learned there is so much right now that is completely out of my control.  For starters, my schedule and use of time are so different than they were just a month ago.  With all the walks we’ve been taking lately, I remembered a cute story about a father out walking his very young son in a stroller (before social distancing).
 

The child was crying quite loudly and the father said quietly, “Easy now, Robert, control yourself, keep calm.”
 Another cry rang out.  “Now, now, Robert,” the dad murmured, “watch your temper.”  A young mother passed by and was impressed with what she observed. She remarked, “You are an amazing dad, you know just how to talk to babies – calmly and gently.”  As the child had just quieted down, she reached down and patted the little boy on the head and said, “What’s bothering you, Robert?” “No, no,” cried the father, “his name is Jacob.  I’m Robert!”

Let’s add humor as a fruit of the spirit – or at least consider it an important ingredient for surviving this period of staying home.
 
As much as we might like to think we are in control, this year’s season of Lent has reminded us that we are not in control of very much.  Our common humanity with others around the globe – touched by a tiny virus - is reminding all of us that control often diminishes just when we need cooperation and more of the fruits of the spirit.  Not everyone sees it.  Even some churches continue to gather in crowds with no respect for physical distancing.  It’s frustrating to see people who don’t see the bigger picture (precisely when they think they do).  Humility and recognizing that none of us are in charge of the universe reminds us that we need to take better charge of ourselves.  
 
Winston Churchill, commenting one day on a dictator and tyrant, observed:
 

“There, but for the grace of God, goes God.”

By the grace of God, we can grow the fruit of the spirit, perhaps beginning with self-control and discovering more and more what we can control and what we cannot.  We can control our attitude and how we treat others (albeit for many from a distance).  We can control how we choose to spend our time and on what.  In a word, we can control living out “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” For as Paul concludes that verse from Galatians, “There is no law against such things.”
 
During this time of isolation, rather than lament all that we cannot be doing and “controlling,” let’s grow these wonderful fruits of the spirit that over time this world of God’s might be a more beautiful place.
 
In Growth and Love,

Rev. Dr. David D. Young
Senior Minister