I was cutting up some fruit and said to Rob, "I'm looking for some inspiration for the email devotional." He said, "Use the peach." Then he walked away. I scoffed and then... yeah, that's right. I'm going to use the peach.
After I go grocery shopping I'm in the habit of washing all the produce and laying it out on the counter to dry before it's put away. In our house, if it's ready to eat, it will get eaten. If it's not, chances are good that it will go bad before we get around to it. Last week my kids were commenting at how beautiful it was - rows of green and red apples, strawberries, blueberries, green onions, broccoli, lettuce and yes, peaches. When I want my kids to eat something healthy I'll tell them to eat something that God made. Those things aren't hard to find in our fridge; they're usually the brightest colours and most interesting shapes. It's not true in every case but very often the stuff that is bad for us is kind of beige. It's deep-fried, it's factory-created, it's full of unpronounceable things. Even if it's colourful you can tell it's fake. (Think KD.) It tastes great in the moment but your body knows there's nothing good in it.
The fruit of the Spirit are what grow in your life when you live by the Spirit. (Galatians 4:16-26) The acts of the sinful nature are obvious just like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are obvious. The stuff that God makes in us is beautiful, it's real, it lasts and it catalyzes Christ-centered change in the world around us. The sinful nature... not so much.
I love this time of year in Kitchener - so many of our local crops are in season. You don't even have to go to the grocery store to get food that is fresh and beautiful. So think about it as you enjoy some of the stuff that God made in the coming weeks - what kind of beauty is growing in your life? What would you like to see growing in your life?
Some food for thought. Yep, I am owning that pun.
See you on Sunday!
Pastor Tracy
This Sunday...
This week Pastor Tracy will be taking us to 2 Chronicles for the lessons in frailty, humanity, redemption and victory from Jehoshaphat's life. This king's testimony ultimately reminds us that a repentant spirit and a heart of worship are key to living a life that trusts Jesus.