The faithfulness test: what is of the Spirit?

Lent is a time of reflection. Many religions practice far more meditation and reflection than Christians. We have a great deal to learn from them. For in truth, learning does not come from simple experience - for many have made the same error over and over - but true learning comes from reflection on our experiences. Reflection is the only way the lessons of experience can be learned.

In the middle of a busy day, it is not unusual to ask some deep questions about the seeming futility of daily chores. (my children do it all the time!) Often, those of us in the grace of a long term relationship ask the same question about the honesty and genuineness of that commitment. 

One of the most human and most real threats in the midst of a world of needs, wants, and ambition, is the self delusion of using rather than merging in any relationship. Using manipulates and demeans the other while merging affirms and empowers the other.

Martin Buber put it this way: "The world of mankind is twofold in accordance with his twofold nature". He goes on to describe his view that we can either be immersed (giving of ourselves and totally present, not needing or belonging) in a relationship (my words) or set apart from the other in the context or nature of the relationship. He call these either "I-it" or "I-thou".

To clarify what he was describing we might say we are either redefined in the midst of the person-we-become in this relationship or we hold he/she/it at arms length and deal with the current transaction for whatever purpose it serves, but remain defined solely unchanged and apart from this encounter/relationship. This is an awkward and partial description. His book is both poetic and profound. Read it if you can find it.

"By their fruit you will know them", it is written. A fundamental truth by which we can know other people very quickly by observing the people, behavior, and things with which they choose to surround themselves. Even the way someone drives will tell you a great deal about him or her.

What kind of relationships do we want to seek, celebrate, and cultivate but those which produce good fruit. So observe and choose carefully:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."