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. Galatians 5:22 (MSG)
Grabs for Happiness – The Fruit Series – Part 4
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6
I love Jesus words about knowing people by their love. And not because I have the love thing down, either. To know someone by their love takes time. You have to get through that first encounter, look through the articles, and the pictures, and the quick Instagram captions and do some good old living alongside them.
Looking for the “fruit” of someone's life isn’t always an instant find. There is a saying: “Look for the movie, not the snapshot.” I’m so thankful for my friends and family who have taken the time to see the “movie” of my life, look for the good in me, rather than just see the snapshots, and make quick judgments and assumptions.
And of course, I’ve learned (am learning) that I need to do the same for others, too.
Paul lists a few characteristics that are true of people who live by Spirit:
Love.
Joy.
Peace.
Patience.
Kindness.
Goodness.
Faithfulness.
Gentleness.
Self-control.
It’s a lovely list to read. It’s a difficult list to live.
The fruit of the Spirit is not:
Followers on Instagram.
Money.
Fashion sense.
Talent.
Oratory ability.
Numbers on a scale.
Popularity.
Car you drive.
House you live in.
Career.
A-list friends.
Spirit living produces gold within, that manifests not in earthly possessions or positions, but in actions towards self, others and the Divine. It's driven by Holy intent.
The Message Bible reads Galatians 5 like this:
“It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.
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.”
I can be a person that makes “frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness,” and at the same time have a “compassionate heart.” It’s not as black and white as it sounds. Humility has revealed this to me, and grace empowers me to live in the tension of the two. The life long journey of shedding “unhealthy” fruit and cultivating health. It’s not a set and forget endeavor, but a constant that's lived into reality.
One thing I’ve learned to look for is humility. If there’s a humbleness about a person, their organization, their cause, language, and posture, I will bet you everything I have, that love has a firm grip on their heart.
Paul's list of spirit-produce flourishes in a life that is open to learning, conviction, and change. A humble heart.
Go to Part 5 – What Sets Us Apart »
Written by Lizzy Milani
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