What is the fruit of your life? Are you walking in grace or a to-do list of unrealistic expectations. Today Mercy staff Mickenzie shares a bit the journey we are all on to look and sound more like our Savior, and how we can see our heart through the fruits of our lives.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
This summer I ate a lot of peaches. I mean, a lot! You see, the last few summers I have found the most lovely, delicious, delectable and amazing peaches. They come from a farm in Georgia, and I eagerly await their arrival and the sight of the trucks selling them all around Nashville all fall, winter, and spring. The first bag that I purchased spent a weekend ripening on my kitchen counter in the brown paper bag. I absolutely COULD NOT wait to dig into them, but I restrained myself. I knew that if I didn’t wait I would not be experiencing the full “fruit” of the growers’ labor. There is so much love, thought, and intention that goes into growing these peaches. The Peach Truck most definitely bears good fruit.
Good fruit is the result of hard work and care.
As I awaited eating these peaches, as often is the case, I felt the need to make a spiritual connection.
If we want our lives to produce good fruit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control – then we have to put in the work. Everyday I’m trying to get closer to looking like my Savior, fully knowing that I’ll never attain perfection. (So very thankful for grace.) But I also know that I am called to walk in the above fruits of the Spirit. I’ve come to the conclusion that this journey is all about being more joyful, kind, and patient then maybe I was the day before…or the moment before, rather then seeking and expecting perfection from myself. (I’m really thankful for grace…)
But often I find myself putting in the hard work and not seeing the fruits. I get ahead of myself, and if I’m not careful, become frustrated. God is faithful and is continually teaching me patience and the importance of consistency. I’ve discovered that the absence of fruit, to my human eyes, doesn’t give me permission to give up trying.
Despite not being ripe and ready to consume, my peaches had the potential to be the epitome of fruit. (seriously these are the best peaches I’ve ever had.) So today, don’t get discouraged if you’re choosing life, putting in the hard work, and not seeing the results you want…yet.
Don’t give up.
Just a chapter later, Galatians reminds us to not grow weary in doing good…for in due season we will reap a harvest! (Galatians 6:9)
Today you are not the same person you were in the past.
Rest in that.
Your life may not be bearing all the fruits you’d like, but you have the capacity to choose to stay the course. Each day you get the chance to take part in the labor that leads to good fruit.
Just remember: you may not be there yet, but you can be a little more joyful, a little more peaceful, a little more faithful, a little more gentle and a little more self controlled.
I’m in your corner. Grace always wins!
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