I once was thrown in to teach a Jr. High Sunday school class. They were studying the Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5. A Star Wars movie had recently been released so I asked them about the Sith and the Jedi. We agreed that the Fruits of the Spirit in Gal 5: 22-23 were the path of the Jedi. So how do we focus on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control in a world that feels so chaotic? How do we hold onto the fact that God said let there be light and Jesus is the light of the world and the darkness will not overcome it? How can we bring calm, peace, joy and love to the world around us?

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The Transfiguration of Jesus is the text that we read the Sunday before Lent begins. Jesus is changed into his glorified state. But they must come down the mountain and re-engage the world. We too have to re-engage the world, but how can we be transformed and then engage the world in a more peaceful and divinely connected state?

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While sitting at a 4 way stop, I marveled at how simple and easy they can be when everyone does their part. You come to a stop, wait your turn, then go on your way. No one has to keep watch most of the time, we just stop, wait, then go again. But then I thought about the times that I feel slighted. When someone goes through even though it should have been my turn. I feel the same way when people cut me off in traffic.

So while at a stop sign, I started also thinking about Luke's continuation of the sermon on the plain in chapter six. One of the hardest verses "Love your enemies." Jesus talks about it is easy to love those who love us, but loving those who will not love us back - that is the hard part. That is the part we are called to do. So when someone cuts you off at a stop sign or in traffic, love your enemy. Take a breath and keep doing the right thing.

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