As I contemplated what I would share, I had no idea, so I decided to start with my own devotional time.
As I opened to the first devotion, that is titled ‘Growing Hope’, it was focused on peace.
As I went to the next one, Intouch, today’s focus was the reminder of how God can use what’s broken to create a harvest. A grain of wheat has to be broken and planted to be able to produce even more fruit – so, even in our brokenness, God can do more than if we had remained intact.
As I continued on to First 5, where the lessons have been on memorizing verses of scripture for 30 days, I saw the title and smiled. The verses that were being broken down were Galatians 5:22-23, the same one that I had already written in my journal for almost the last 5 or so days that I have written, and yet, here it was again.
I know that when something is being repeated this often, I need to pay attention.
Galatians 5:22-23 states: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law.
Something I noticed some years ago, for as many of them as there are, it does not pluralize them – they are combined to make one whole fruit.
Another thing I’ve noticed based on my personal life, these fruit may not all come in at once. We may gain some long before others, and then God works with us, to grow the other fruit.
As I walked in the park sometime ago, I observed that I had grown in some areas, but lacking in others. Depending on our personality, some may naturally be easier than others, and God may have to do a deep work in us to grow us in other ways.
I’m reminded of James 1:4, which states: Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything…
But, I can’t be this close to one of my favorite verses, without also sharing it: James 1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Friends, gaining the fruit of the Spirit is life changing, but often times, we will need to be broken to be rebuilt. We will have to persevere, and we will need to ask God for His wisdom so that we don’t give up on the process before the time is right.
Will you join me and ask God for wisdom, and for Him to produce the fruit in you that you cannot produce for yourself? And then, no matter how the journey feels, trust that He is bringing it to completion.
Dear Heavenly Father, I am so grateful that you never think we are too far gone to use us. Thank you that there are times that you have to break us, or break the old version of us so that we can bear fruit. Pruning is hard, and none of us like it, but we can look back and see that because it is you that have done the pruning, how fruitful we will become. Help us not to let go too soon.