It’s uncomfortable to admit we have flaws. But we do have them. You have flaws. I have flaws… we all do. In fact, it’s a fairly constant and obvious fact that everyone on our planet is broken in some way. Whether you believe the story of Adam and Eve or not – there is no denying we all have tendencies to have corrupt thoughts and we do possess flaws. The evidence is all around us, even when it comes to our adored heroes. Looking at well-known falls from grace, like Oscar Pistorius, Martha Stewart, Tiger Woods, Pete Rose, Tullian Tchividjian… the list could go on for quite some time, but you probably see the point. It’s sort of ironic because as much as we love to watch heroes rise, we love watching them fall even more. It’s because we all have flaws. Even our heroes. Even imaginary heroes for that matter.

Our Supposed Heroes Have Flaws… As Do We

Over the last couple days, I binge watched the last half of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season three. I was struck by the many ways the main story arc paralleled Biblical themes, referencing notions like redemption, remorse and absolution. It seemed like every scene accentuated the character flaws of central characters, pitting them in company similar to their adversaries. (note: don’t bash me… I DO realize the AOS are NOT considered superheroes in the typical sense – but they are still the “white hat” characters so I am using the term rather generically here). The episodes also has elements of love, selfless acts, unity, and light shining in the darkness. It makes references to God, the Devil and sin. If you want to read more about this, here’s a good post I found about Religious Themes and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. It got me thinking about how, regardless of who we are, we have flaws. I kept watching as each of the characters tried to atone for their past mistakes – on their own. They felt like they could go it alone and make everything right. They could not. We cannot. We need someone beyond the limits if feeble humanity.

Disgusted by the Flaws Exhibited in News Feeds

Much like any morning, I trolled my Facebook feed on Friday morning. I found it filled with messages of violence, hate, outrage, misunderstandings, denial, agendas and arguments. What I saw little of is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). You may – or perhaps may not – recognize those attributes as the Fruits of the Spirit. These are attributes that God regularly practices throughout his relationship with us. Our personal attitudes and actions display how the Holy Spirit works in us. What I observed in my Facebook feed on Friday was the antithesis of these fruits. I exhibited fruits of the flesh. It saddened me. I prayed for many of my friends and loved ones. I prayed for complete strangers. I long for a shift in our culture that aims to rise above rather than joining in the race to very bottom. It begins with getting in sync with God and nurturing the fruits of the spirit. Too often, we neglect a need for getting in sync with God by dismissing the nurturing of these fruits. And that means we dismiss Christ, a season indeed. For, if we dismiss Christ in our lives, we’ll be clipped off and then tossed away - just like a shriveled vine (John 15:1-6). Come Holy Spirit – provoke us to rise above the flesh; in loving kindness for one another. #Praylist Share on X

Don’t Know where to Begin?

Start with Love. Here is the latest song on my #Praylist. My praylist is a list of songs that speak to the heart and provoke introspection. I’ve added Jason Gray’s “Every Act of Love” because it hit me during a drive home in which I was thinking about the desperation on the lives of those around me. Those souls who are oppressed, offended and so irate, they’ve sought only to look out for themselves without realizing they too are being offensive and oppressive to others. Though I have heard the song many times, I have never listed deeply to the lyrics. Once I did, and truly considered how it’s reminding me of my role as a follower of Christ, my soul found rest, comfort and was provoked into writing this post. Meditate on the following. If it helps, give the song a listen, too. Jason Gray – With Every Act of Love We bring the Kingdom come with every act of love. Jesus help us carry You. Alive in us, your light shines through, with every act of love. We bring the Kingdom come.

Come Holy Spirit – provoke us to rise above the flesh; in loving kindness for one another.