Nine months.
Nine months I spent researching, praying over and writing about the Fruit of the Spirit.
Love.
Joy.
Peace.
Patience.
Kindness,
Goodness.
Gentleness.
Faithfulness.
Self-control.
Nine months of conviction, celebration, and humility. April was patience. I’m often complimented on how patient I am with my kids, while waiting on God, or even work. But April was a challenge- I don’t think I’ve ever felt so impatient in my life!
Each of the past nine months has been a month of self-discovery and of deeper realization of just how imperfect I am.
But there is something imperative I’ve learned the last nine months: I will never achieve any of these Fruit alone.
These are gifts from the Holy Spirit. While I may study any of them, learn how to better practice them, and intentionally attempt to implement them… they are gifts. I would do better investing time in drawing closer to, learning about, and learning God better.
The closer I am to Him, the more I will reflect Him and the more His gifts will show through me. Proverbs 28:20 reminds, “A faithful person will be blessed.” Faithful, not perfect.
Especially when we’re faithful throughout hardships and trials, our faithlessness will be acknowledged. (See Revelation 2:13.)
Jesus is our faithful high priest who understands trials and temptations (Hebrews 2:17) and yet is perfect. He also is interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25). I am never alone.
You are never left on your own.
Jesus is always there, praying for us.
That truth gives me immense hope.
As much as I struggle to exemplify the Fruit of the Spirit, as frustrated as I become over my actions and reactions; I can wake up believing the next day may go better- not because I have more knowledge or I did something, but because Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and God Himself hasn’t given up on me!
I pray you know that too. Keep drawing nearer to Him. He promises to draw nearer to you (See James 4:8) The Holy Spirit will gift you (Gal 5:22) And Jesus Himself intercedes when we fail. (Hebrews 7:25)
Let’s thank Him for his faithfulness!
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You for never giving up on me. You know I want to mirror You. You know the struggle. You know how I fail. Yet You know my heart. Please draw me ever closer to You. “Into Your hand I commit my Spirit, deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.