Today’s scripture: Colossians 3:12-16 (NRSV) (NLT)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two before reading on.
My thoughts (David Squire):
Over the last week and a half, we’ve been examining the Fruit of the Spirit — characteristics and behaviors that will mark a life that’s filled with God’s Spirit. It’s reminded me of an incident from several years ago, when I attempted to explore my musical abilities.
When I was in my early 20s, I decided that I wanted to learn to play the piano. So I found a piano teacher — she taught music in the local public high school, and gave piano lessons on the side — and I signed up and paid for eight weeks of lessons.
That was an awful eight weeks.
I think that to be good at an artistic skill like piano, it takes three things: talent (or a “musical gift”, or some innate ability), a good teacher, and practice. I practiced, and I had a good teacher, but I found I had no talent for piano — no gift, whatsoever. If I’m going to express any artistic impulses, they’re going to be visual, not auditory.
I think that the “fruit of the spirit” is a lot like this. We see a desired outcome (playing the piano, or having more joy and peace) so we take lessons (with a piano teacher, or by study and prayer) and we practice, and eventually we become a musician, or a bearer of spiritual fruit.
But here’s the kicker — we’ve all got the “talent” to be spiritual prodigies, because the Spirit of God — the source of that ability — dwells right within us! We can all be Mozarts (or Sandi Pattis, or Beatles, if they’re more your style) when it comes to “performing” these desirable, Spirit-inspired qualities — love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, generosity, goodness, faithfulness, self-control.
So go ahead — dare to explore the spark of spiritual genius that lies within you.
Thought for the day: What “fruit” seems to elude you? Have you tapped into the innate ability the Spirit gives us all?
Today, let’s join together in prayer for: growth, in ourselves and others, of the fruit of the Spirit. Fill us, Spirit of God, until we are saturated with your love, joy, and peace.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. Use the item above as a starting point, or consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.