Daily Reading
Reflection
In this passage, Paul gives us a glimpse of what life could be like. We could have a life filled with joy, peace, love, patience, and kindness. Who does not want that? When we look at what our life looks like compared to what Paul says it could be, we have the temptation to dismiss Paul. Our hearts long for what Paul calls the fruit of the spirit, and our minds seem to scream, "Give me a break! That can't happen to me." And yet, we know that life has more to offer than what we have.
So often, in pursuit of joy, we surround ourselves with pleasure. And it is never enough. In pursuit of love, we settle for infatuation. And it leaves us yearning for something more. In the pursuit of peace, we resign ourselves to numbness. We substitute indifference for patience. Always in search of something that satisfies, we forget that Paul is describing the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, and so on, are not goals in and of themselves. So then, how do we achieve what Paul says is available to us?
If we want the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, we need to let the Spirit bring about fruit in time. The things we all want in our lives come only from God. It is only through Christ that we are satisfied. Jesus promises to give us our heart's deepest longings through relationship with Him, but we must prepare the way for Him to work in our lives. We must be available, ready for Him to break in and restore everything. We must be open to the possibility that joy may not be constant pleasure, and that love may be deeper than romantic infatuation.
Most importantly, we cannot do this alone. So often, preparation for God's spirit is borne out in community. In community we have the support to be completely vulnerable and malleable in the hands of a gentle, loving God. Jesus' death and resurrection invites us to a life without striving, because the work has been done for us. We can rest, knowing that God is faithful. Even though we do not always feel him present with us, he is working. We will bear fruit.
Holy Spirit, I invite you into my life. I am open to you. Work in me, I pray, to bear the fruit that you have promised.
Daily Worship Resources
Daily Office Readings come from the Book of Common Prayer, a schedule of daily Bible reading that accords with the Church year. These readings are great worship resources for personal, family, or group use. Use it along with your City Church Worship Folder as a resource for readings, prayers, and hymns.
Printable Devotion