Mmmm...You know, fruit in the States just can’t compare to fruit here in Latin America. It’s fresh and sweet, and so juicy that it just runs all over your hands! Early on Saturday mornings, I love to go to the local feria (outdoor market) and purchase my veggies and fruits for the week. Surrounded by all of the vendors and amazing colors, I’m often overwhelmed and have a hard time deciding what to buy!
In truth, God desires for all of us to have the same quality of fruit growing in our lives.
Overflowing with flavor, a refreshing taste of life for everyone who sees and takes a bite!
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” Galations 5:22-23
Wow, what a list. At times, doesn’t it just seem so difficult to live out all of the fruits of the Spirit? Almost impossible, right? You might even be thinking right now, “How on earth do I have time to be loving, joyful, peaceful, and patient all in one day… let alone all the others”. But the truth is that as the Holy Spirit works in us and we live our lives in worship to God, He transforms us. His growth of us is not of our own strength or capability, because if you try to change yourself, you will inevitably fail and realize to an greater extent your immortality.
Are you tasting as sweet fruit or rotten, moldy fruit? Much like fruit, our quality of freshness depends on our time spent in or away from the vineyard. If we don’t spend enough time in the vineyard and allow ourselves to ripen on the vine of Christ, we are no good to the taste and don’t do much good to those who are looking for real truth. Similarly, like fruit, if we spend too much time off the vine, we will then become rotten.
The challenge is then to remain continuously in the vineyard connected to the vine and allow God to develop within you the fruits of the Spirit. The result… you’ll taste fresh and sweet like the fruits of Latin America!
