Star Wars, Star Trek, Star Words

Honestly, this blog has nothing to do with Star Wars or Star Trek other than the use of the word “star.” However, if I captured your attention anyway, continue reading!

How is it going with your star word? We passed out business card sized words on Epiphany Sunday (Jan 12) and asked you to ponder this word throughout the year. If you didn’t get one, there is a basket on the worship desk, and you can pick up your star word or contact the church office to get a word if you don’t have one.

My star word is Goodness. What I appreciate about picking a word from the basket, is that the word selected me as I drew a card without looking. I asked myself, “What does goodness really mean”? I recall hearing the word from scripture when I hear Psalm 23 recited “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life….” Or from Galatians 5:22-23 when Paul lists the fruits of the Spirit “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness…against such things there is no law.” It would be easy for me to say I already know what goodness is about, but to be on the safe side, I wanted to see what the definition was. As I did further research about what goodness means, I found out a lot. In a food sense, goodness is a beneficial or nourishing element offering nutrition and wholeness. I also learned that goodness is substituted for “God” when we use the expressions of surprise or anger like “Oh my goodness.” However, if goodness is supposed to be God, I would avoid this expression. In a biblical sense, goodness, can be holy, pure, or righteousness. That reminds me of another phrase I have heard at church camp and in youth ministry when someone says, “God is good” you respond with “all the time.” Then someone says, “All the time” and you respond with “God is good.”

Another challenge for me is to identify “goodness” that is happening to me or around me each day. Since, I am writing this on a Wednesday during Lent, I can safely say I can smell, taste, hear, and see goodness on Wednesdays. Goodness comes from the kitchens, talent, and joy of our faithful soup makers. I can hardly wait for the soup supper to begin! Goodness simmers through the day to get warm and for the ingredients to blend for a delicious meal and fellowship we enjoy as God’s goodness abounds!

What reflections do you have for your star word? Would you be willing to share it in a blog or on a Sunday morning? Submit it to me or share with the church office.

God is good, all the time!

All the time, God is good!

Christ’s Lenten Blessings & Peace,

Pastor Nate