22 The Holy Spirit produces a different kind of fruit: unconditional love, joy, peace, patience, kindheartedness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. You won’t find any law opposed to fruit like this.
I’ve been thinking a great deal about what goes into my head: the things I read, watch, listen to. I want my life to be characterised by the fruit of the Spirit and some of the things I surround myself with just don’t make that easy or even possible at times.
It’s Sunday, and although that day has become another busy, hurlyburly day in the week (another topic) I’d like to encourage you to take 30 seconds and meditate on each of the 9 fruits listed here. Don’t rush through.
Turn the words over.
Love
Think of times you have shown love or been shown love.
Joy
Joy, what areas of joy are in your life, what joy do you show to others?
Peace
Wow, peace, we have a world screaming for peace… where are you at peace?
Patience
Not just a name but something beautiful – a grace-filled act that defuses a situation
Kindness (kindheartedness)
Random acts? Not random without purpose but unexpected and spontaneous perhaps?
Goodness
God is good. Unmerited mercy and love shown to us.
Faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness – how can I imitate Him?
Gentleness
Does being gentle make me a ‘snowflake’ or make the recipient one?
Self-control
Temperance, wisdom in our actions. Thinking – asking Him – before we speak or act.
22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
Shiny Thoughts 