It seems like everything demands our attention these days. We do our best and work hard in many areas! We work long hours to grow in our jobs, we push ourselves to be amazing parents, we work hard to keep the house clean… God has given us an amazing ability to accomplish much.
But God really wanted to get my attention in this. As hard as we work and push for all the areas in our lives – do we push for things of God?
I spoke recently how applying wisdom to the fruit of the spirit is simply seeing if it is evident in what we do. As I shared, teaching Justus in school I could see only 2/9 fruits of the spirit… maybe something needed to change. We started praying before class and things were going pretty well. But today as I was helping him with school I could feel my frustration, lack of patience, and even anger start to well up inside of me. I could feel myself about to erupt! But then God… thank God for His Holy Spirit… convicted me in my time with Him.
God wanted me to not just hope for change, but fight for change. He reminded me of how hard we push to grow in the marketplace, what we do as parents, etc. And He asked me, “How much will you fight for the fruit of the spirit”?
It took everything in me and of course the help of the Holy Spirit to stop and pray with Justus for patience and help as we did school together. The day that started as a disaster ended up being a day full of the Spirit because the fruit was there.
I believe God wants to challenge the Lifespring family to take God and His call seriously – to be in an all out fight to grow in godliness, righteousness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.
Think of what you work so hard at… some it may be fitness, some it is your job, some it is being a parent, some it is health, etc… do you work as hard in your spirit life as you do in these areas? God makes it clear – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment”. He wants us to be the Huios (mature) and it doesn’t happen by chance – it happens by being intentional.
Father, help us to put you first. Help us to listen to the spirit and fight to be obedient. Let us, as a family be people who put you first. Not just in our words, but in our actions too.
Amen.