I think part of my problem is that I tend to forget about what I've planted. I get busy with the house and my girls and ministry and the next thing you know I am responsible for another horticultural casualty.
This year I am actually scheduling things like 'watering plants' on my calendar. I used to think that just putting that on my 'to-do' list would help my problem...but I would forget to add it to the list. Anyway, I am off to a much better start this season. My roses are blooming, my tomato plant (yes, just one - I know my limitations) has grown slightly and the herbs are still thriving...you'd better hold the applause until the end of the growing season! ;)
Whether we possess a green thumb or not, gals, there is a type of gardening that we can all excel at! It requires some effort on our part, but we have the advantage of a Master Gardener who ensures our success.
Galatians 5:22 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control"
I don't know about you, but I would love to produce a harvest like this in my life. I won't if I focus on any one of these fruit or try to produce it in my own ability. This fruit is produced only by the Holy Spirit in my life.
In John 15 Jesus identifies God as the Master Gardener, Himself as the True Vine and we, as Christians, as the branches. He states that if we choose to abide in Him and His words abide in us we will bear much fruit. It's like gardening with a guarantee! :)
Just like I can neglect my backyard garden unintentionally by getting caught up in the stuff of life, so I can neglect my relationship with the Lord. I certainly don't want my life to look as dried up and shriveled as some of my past gardening attempts have. My garden needs constant and consistent attention, (I've found out the hard way that watering once a week just doesn't cut it), as does my relationship with the Lord.
As I choose to abide in, (dwell with, adhere to, be vitally united with), Jesus - He will, by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, produce this fruit in and through me! This fruit will not only benefit me, it will bless those around me. Isn't that what a branch produces fruit for anyway?...to provide nourishment!
As we, Sister~Friend, become fruit producing Christians as a natural outflow of our relationship with Jesus, then we nourish others! And that in turn brings glory and honor to the Master Gardener.
So, How does your garden grow? A little parched, Jesus is the Living Water! Are your branches a little lacking in the fruit department? Cling to the Lord! Fruit will come from holding tighter to the True Vine.
Here's 2 questions for you to chew on...
#1 - Which Gal. 5:22 fruit would you like to see more of in your life?
#2 - What steps can you take to 'abide' more in Jesus?
I'd love to hear what you're thinking!
I think I've had the same "fruit of th spirit" I'd like to work on since the last time we had this bible study (of which is my favorite by the way, and probably the reason why I need to dig out folder this summer and revisit it again)...self-control. I'd say patience, but that's so just going to happen whether I ask for it or not because things are so not in my power right now (praie the Lord, right?=]).
ReplyDeleteLeaning on Jesus with deeper reading in the word and relying on His purpose for me instead of the chocolate chip cookies and peanut M&Ms would be my "steps"...or duct tape to mouth might work better. I'd rather the Word be "the moment on the lips, but a life time on the hips" instead of the goodies. (Hope that makes sense...it did for me for a minute).
Thanks for the recharge in my steps! Love ya!