May 21, 2025

Viewing all things through the lens of the True and the beautiful!

The True

Not a Dance

“Patience is not naturally present in me, and so when it shows up, I know it is Christ living in me.”

What a joy it was to hear from Annie F. Downs at church this week, and when she uttered the phrase above, it both resonated with and convicted me. In a moment, I realized the fairly ugly truth that when something good turns up in my character, I am quick to claim it, but when something less lovely turns up, I am far more likely to excuse it or explain it away.

The “fruits of the Spirit” are listed in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Because the Holy Spirit lives in you, when you read that list, you should both recognize those traits as evident in your life and recognize that their existence in your life confirms the presence of One much greater living in you!

Let’s work backwards. Earlier in Galatians 5, we find this list: “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like” (Gal. 5:19-21). When I read that list, my mind immediately jumps to the ones I feel I’m conquering. It is an instinctive reaction, and one of self-justification. It’s as though I want to proclaim, “I’m good on that one!”

I am much slower to acknowledge where I am falling short, and where my flesh is much more evident than is the fruit of the Spirit.

Here is crux of the issue, my friend, and the point of conflict I want us to honestly and genuinely grapple with this week: The Spirit God sent to lead you (v. 18) is in constant conflict with the flesh that wants to lead you astray!

It is not a dance or a contest; It is a war! The Spirit and the flesh are fundamentally at odds with one another, and God would have you and me to be free (v. 1)!

But what does freedom look like? Our passage tells us plainly: It means resisting the urge to “indulge the flesh” and instead “serv[ing] one another humbly in love” (v. 13).

Let me be candid: It is easy to select a few of those “big” things in the list of fleshly desires to justify ourselves. Even as each of us works to resist those things, as long as we are trying only to avoid them, we will fall short.

It is only when we allow the Holy Spirit to replace those urges in us with His presence that we will see signs of His fruit in our life!

Like Annie, my flesh falls far short of being naturally patient (or for that matter, loving, joyful, peaceful, kind, good, faithful, gentle, or full of self-control). Your flesh is equally lacking.

But the Spirit lives in you! So all those traits can and should flow out of you! And when they do this week, remember to take note of the life-saving truth: It is evidence of the Spirit who lives in you! You belong to Jesus and have victory over fleshly things (v. 24)!

So, when a fruit of the Spirit shows up in you this week, revel in the freedom from flesh it represents. Jesus lives in you!

Business

Higher Prices

Walmart is raising its prices as a result of the ongoing tariff negotiations. The company, which is both the largest retailer in the world and the leading employer in the U.S. with approximately 2.1 million employees, blamed increased cost of goods because of tariffs for the increase. U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the move, citing Walmart’s profits and suggesting the company should, “Eat the tariffs.” The announcement is likely the first of many as retailers seek a way to manage the increasing costs of acquiring goods.

Analysis and eternal perspective: It is Economics 101. Once tariffs were announced, it was always a matter of when, not if. When it costs more to acquire goods, it will inevitably mean those goods will cost more for the consumer to buy. Walmart has long marketed itself as a low-cost place to shop, and its footprint (more than 10,000 stores in the world) makes it highly likely you have been in one of its stores. Despite his criticism, President Trump and his team were almost certainly expecting an announcement like this, as they understand that a business has to maintain a profit margin to keep the doors open. The weeks and months ahead—should the tariffs remain in effect—are certain to include constant jockeying by retailers, consumers, and decision makers.

As a Jesus follower, it would be prudent for you to both plan wisely for the economic environment (Pr. 6:6-11) and live generously with those who are most impacted (Pr. 28:27). It is easy to forget we live in the most prosperous time the world has ever known, and for those—like me—living in America, the most prosperous nation the world has ever known. Look for ways this week to be grateful for what you have, and to live generously.

Note: You may be experiencing financial need right now. If so, you are not alone! The God of the universe loves you, sees you, cares for you, and prioritizes you! He has also gone ahead of you to prepare an eternal place for you, so be encouraged even in the midst of challenging times!

U.S.

Cancer

Former President Joe Biden has an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The announcement comes four months after his presidential term ended and 10 months after withdrawing his bid for reelection, due in part to health concerns. It also comes amid renewed debate—because of a newly released book—about the cognitive health of the former president while he was in office. Current President Donald Trump and former President Barrack Obama were among those who wished Biden a full and speedy recovery in the wake of the diagnosis.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Cancer is a brutal disease. You and your family almost certainly have personal experience with this reality. Our family certainly does, and there is no sugarcoating the challenge a diagnosis like this one presents. As the Biden family walks through the difficult days ahead, Americans of all political persuasions—and especially Jesus followers—should keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

Further, a story like this one should remind you as a Jesus follower of your citizenship in heaven. You live in a fearfully and wonderfully made human body, but that body is ultimately just a temporary vessel of your eternal soul. You should certainly care for your body (1 Cor. 6:19), but even as you do, it will one day pass away. Let this story be a reminder to us all to focus most on the health of our eternal soul, and on the eternal health of those around us.

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15)!

U.S.

Ship Crashes into Brooklyn Bridge

Two crew members are dead, and more than 20 injured, after a Mexican Navy ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. The ship, distinguished by its large masts and sails, was on a goodwill tour and had just finished several days of public tours while docked just south of the bridge. Shortly after pushing back from dock, the crew lost control of the ship and it drifted into the bridge, snapping masts and endangering the crew. Officials report no damage to the bridge or those on it at the time of the crash.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Any time there is an incident at a location as critical to the nation’s infrastructure as the Brooklyn Bridge, there is cause for an extensive investigation—a process which is now underway. However, all early indications from investigating authorities suggest an accidental loss of control of the ship as the cause of the crash.

Tragically, two precious souls made in the image of God have perished, and a great many more are injured. The Equipped family should be intentionally praying for the families of the deceased and for the swift and full recovery of the injured. We should also recognize this story as yet another reminder that life on Earth is both short and fragile, and every day is a gift and an opportunity to spread the Good News of the Gospel!

You once were lost, but now you are found, and you are in possession of that which enables others to be found as well! As you pray today for those impacted by this story, resolve anew to give each of your remaining days to the task of making disciples!

The Beautiful

Out of Place and Context

There is once again new life on the farm! Even something as beautiful as new life can seem out of place when it shows up in an unfamiliar context. Where is there new life—and new faith and belief—in your world? What can you do to embrace and further establish that new and fresh shoot of eternal life?

We need new life to permeate and invigorate all the corners of the globe—and our lives! It will seem out of place and out of context at first . . . until it transforms those places into ones of beauty!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here” (2 Cor. 5:17)!