I love fruit!  Peaches are my favorite with pineapples a close second.  A basket of ripe and healthy fruit is a joy to behold. The beautiful colors and the sweet aromas beckon the hungry forward to try a bit of everything.  Galatians 5 teaches us of a spiritual fruit basket, produced by the Holy Spirit in us, which can brighten our days and bring true contentment to our lives. 

Galatians 5:22 and 23 states, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love (1 John 3:16), joy (1 Peter 1:8), peace (John 14:27), longsuffering (Ephesians 4:1-3), kindness (2 Timothy 2:24), goodness (Galatians 6:10), faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-24), 23 gentleness (Colossians 3:12,13), self-control (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). Against such there is no law.”  This fruit manifested in our lives will impact the decisions we make, our interactions with the world around us, and lead us ever closer to the abundant life Jesus promised us (John 10:10). 

A farmer knows what to plant to get the harvest he desires.  He knows you can’t plant green beans and get corn or plant potatoes and get carrots.  He also knows the care required to ensure his land is used to its fullest potential and the crops produced are bountiful.  If I went out tomorrow and decided I was going to start a farm, but did not seek the guidance of an experienced farmer, I would fail miserably.  The harvest would be sparse and the land inefficiently used.

Like the novice farmer, many of us live each day trying to produce good fruit and live abundant lives without the guidance of the expert, the Holy Spirit.  He knows the fruit He wishes to produce in us, but we must walk with Him and allow His hand to guide us as we plant, nurture, and grow the fruit.

Reflection:

• Take time today and ask the Holy Spirit to help you produce His fruit in your life.  If you ask and follow His lead, He will help you and your life will have so much more joy each and every day.