Last Sunday I began a sermon series based upon the reading of Galatians 5:22-26.  One of the main ideas to take away from this study is that as much emphasis as is put on producing fruit, it still is God who does the work.

A short fable:  “An old fable tells of an elephant lumbering across a wooden bridge suspended over a ravine.  As the big animal crossed over the worn-out structure, it creaked and groaned under the elephant’s weight.  When he reached the other side, a flea that had nestled itself in the elephant’s ear, proclaimed, ‘Boy, did we shake that bridge.’  The flea had done nothing!  The elephant had done all the work.”  (from: It’s Not About Me, by Max Lucado)

Don’t we make some of the same statements?  We lean upon God when we are in trouble but walk away when we are not?  We proclaim great ministries and yet it is God that gives the blessing.  Our lives are truly not about us.  Our lives are about God and his creative way of allowing us to join him in his loving endeavors.

As we study the “The Fruit of the Spirit” let us never forget that the fruit we produce cannot happen without God.  The fruit we manifest is a reference for each of us.  We have a guide that we can look at to determine our true course direction.  Much like a compass  guides us in the woods as we walk.

Let us rejoice that God gives us the freedom to grow and yet guides us all the way.

Blessings,

John