“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

 Galatians 5:22-23 (HCSB)

“Summertime and the livin’ is easy…”  I live out in the country in the Upstate of South Carolina. Summer is lovely here- there’s abundant sunshine, blue skies with mountain views & rolling  hills  all around.  

Everything is green and something is always blooming. Right now tiger lilies beautify the road sides & the hydrangeas and gardenias are really showing out. A half mile down the road, our good friends farm- they have everything from cows to eggs to strawberries and my personal favorite- white peaches. 

Most people have a garden- my Daddy has a huge one! All this real, local produce has me thinking about spiritual fruit.  It is probably because of my Sunday School class. Each summer we combine a few classes and participate in a group study. 

This summer we are focusing on the FRUIT of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.  These two little verses pack quite a punch, don’t they? I’d love to share some of the things I am learning during this summer season of refreshment. 

First of all, the fruit of the Spirit is FULL and complete. Did you notice that it is F-R-U-I-T singular? Prior to this study I thought about them as the F-R-U-I-T-S plural. I thought of them separately as things that I could work on, with some incomplete and some achieved and some that weren’t “me”.  But really they are all part of God’s character. 

He possesses them ALL effortlessly and all at once.  I am realizing that I cannot try harder to be more loving or more patient etc.  God causes these changes in me as I trust and live for Him. He brings about this fruit in its season, just like those strawberries that I love to eat each May!

Next, the fruit must be FRESH! We must spend time examining our hearts. This time will inevitably show sin and/or relationships and areas we need to work on. Sin stops up our relationship with God and essentially rots the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. We must confess and repent to prune  (see John 15:1-8) so that we can continue to grow and produce fruit. 

Lastly, we need to FOCUS on the fruit. Where can we look? There are several places- your Bible, your prayer life, and how you are ministering to others. Don’t let that Bible get dusty this summer! Continue to read and pray and learn. Seek Him. If we don’t spend time with God, how can we expect  Him to challenge our progress? Who can you share one (or all) of these attributes? Who needs to hear about Jesus? 

I get so busy and distracted especially during the school year. I know I miss opportunities He puts right in front of me.  Maybe we can use the slower pace of the summer to adjust our outlook.

I hope you enjoy your summer and all the fruit it brings. Try not to be discouraged.  Paul offered the Philippians this reminder  “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6.