Titus 2

“…the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things– that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” Titus 2:3-5 NKJV

Good things. Sounds a bit dull; rather lackluster, don’t you think? In this day and age of “super duper”, “fantabulous”, and other over-the-top modifiers, “good” is left sounding ordinary and boring.

But in God’s mind, good is great, good is pure, good is a high accolade. He says, for instance, that we are called to good works. In fact, He describes Himself as plain ol’ good. So settle it: good is quite acceptable — it is actually super duper and fantabulous!

But what does God consider good? Timothy is told to find widows who are “…well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.” The list in Titus 2:3-5 sounds somewhat similar. I think we can see clearly from these passages what God considers good.

We tend to look for the fantastical — healing ministries, word ministries that “wow” us, Holy Spirit goose bumps, and such. Is there a place for “super natural” happenings? Absolutely! How about longing for them every day? Definitely! But let’s not overlook the “good” things upon which God places a premium. They are everyday-ish, easily overlooked as ordinary rather than special, yet God goes out of His way to list them more than once, wanting us to recognize the extreme value of plain ol’ goodness. This is rock solid stuff. This is foundational substance that He can build upon. This is the core matter of a Holy life. Essential. Absolutely essential.

This simple old-fashioned sounding type of goodness can be attained by any one of us through the Holy Spirit. That is good news! This “goodness” is nothing more than ordinary things done in love and excellence with a caring heart. And, although it is not flashy and may never make the cover of Newsweek, it is something the world takes notice of and is drawn to. A solid marriage, children who love and are loved, a hospitable home, a reverent woman — these are, by the world’s standards, exceptional.

So let’s learn how to love our children, build a home, practice hospitality, serve saints, and minister to the afflicted. Let’s be pure in our devotion, reverent in our behavior, and let’s encourage one another to such high and holy works of God. This is what He longs to see established in our lives, passed on to our children and other young believers, and taught by women who long to teach good things.