Walking daily in the Fruit of the Spirit

It’s quiet. It’s early. I’m on my way to the Y. The sky is still dark with a hint of light. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.

When I leave the Y, the day has arrived. It roars down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn is exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude is replaced by the hustle and bustle of humanity. The refuge of the early morning is invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve to sixteen hours people will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I (and all people) must make a choice.

In Galatians 5:22-23 we have the fruit of the Spirit. 

²²  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

As Christians, we have the fruit of the Spirit within us. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to permanently indwell those who believed, and thus we are free and empowered to choose. And so I choose, according to the fruit of the Spirit within me:

Love. No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

Joy. I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

Peace. I will have tranquility of mind, a composure, and a restfulness that is undisturbed by circumstances and situations. I will have the peace of God that is independent of conditions and environment; the peace which no sorrow, danger, suffering, or experience can take away.

Patience. I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite Him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

Kindness. I will be kind to all, whether rich or poor (and in between), for they may be alone or afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

Goodness. I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

Faithfulness. Today I will keep my promises. I will be faithful, authentic, and trustworthy.

Gentleness. Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

Self-control. I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And, at the end of the day, I can lie down in peace and sleep.