Good

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reading through the collect, I can’t help but notice how many times “good” is used throughout it. Take for example “good things,” “goodness,” and “good works.” It makes me think about how I define what is good and what I think of as good. I think that Taylor Swift knows how to write a good song, that hot sauce is an essential component of any good meal, and that stopping at Starbucks is always a good idea. But, maybe my idea of what is good doesn’t fully capture what that word is conveying.

Good as an adjective is defined as “to be desired or approved of.” But, good as a noun is defined as “that which is morally right; righteousness” and a “benefit or advantage to someone or something.” I tend to view things as being good only if I desire or approve of them. With this viewpoint, I center myself as having the final say in what is good for me. But, good as a noun asks me to look outside of myself, to consider what is beneficial and morally right.
 
When the collect says that God is the giver of all good things, I love how it lays out exactly what those things are. God grafts in our hearts a love for His name. God increases within us true religion. God nourishes us with goodness. And, God brings forth in us good works. These good works are a result of the work of Jesus Christ in our lives.

While I don’t plan on giving up my love for Taylor Swift, hot sauce, or Starbucks, I am encouraged to remember that “good” encompasses so much more. Psalm 136:1 says “O give thanks to the Lord for He is good.” He is good, and He gives us the capacity to experience His goodness as an advantage and benefit to us, for His glory.