Day 5

Lisa Sheffler, author

Happy Friday!

Let’s reflect on what we’ve learned this week, invite the Spirit to transform us and commit to living out his guidance.

Reflect

What are Paul’s main points in this passage? How has it helped you better understand your freedom in Christ? How does the Spirit oppose the flesh? What is the fruit of the Spirit?
What has stayed with you personally as you’ve studied this passage?

Connect

In your mind, picture a friend or family member who makes you feel really comfortable. They really know and love you. No matter what’s going on around you, you’re glad to be in this person’s presence. What is this person like?

One person who comes to my mind is my Granny. Granny had this amazing ability to make you feel special. She welcomed and accepted you, so you always felt at ease. When she knew you were coming, she’d make your favorite meal. If you got there early, she’d ask you to lend a hand, but you never minded, because cooking with Granny often led to dancing. You see, Granny mastered the art of dancing and stirring at the same time. She had an eclectic taste in music, so you never knew if you’d be grooving to Elton John or crooning with Patsy Kline. I can still hear her singing about “walking after midnight.”

When dinner time came and everyone gathered around the table, she listened to every word that was said, and truly cared about what people were sharing. Granny made you feel like you were her favorite person in the world, and it didn’t even bother you that she had lots of favorites. When you had her attention, you had all of it. At Granny’s table, everyone felt known and loved.

Though she’s no longer with us, Granny has come to mind more than usual this week, because of Galatians 5:22–23. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (At least that’s how I memorized them.) These are not abstract virtues, but manifestations of the Spirit’s work in our lives.

The Spirit is transforming us into the image of Jesus, not so we’ll become paragon’s of moral virtue, but so we can love one another the way he loves us. So, let’s “walk in step with the Spirit,” “crucify the flesh with its passions and desires” so we can love our neighbors as ourselves. Imagine how different our lives could be if we cooperated with the incredible things the Spirit wants to do in us and in those around us.

Granny knew Jesus well and the fruit of her character and her life showed it. She shared the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that the Spirit cultivated in her. She couldn’t help it and everyone who came to her table sensed it. Wouldn’t we all like the same thing to be said of us? Wouldn’t we all like to help others feel known and loved? The Spirit wants that for us as well.

Respond

Now slow down, pray over these prompts, and ask the Spirit to direct you.

Ask the Father:

What do you want me to take away from what I’ve studied this week? What do you want me to remember and keep present with me?
What do you want me to do with the truth of your Word? What is the one, next, right step that you want me to take?
What are you teaching me about you? About who you are and the relationship I have with you? How can I worship and love you based on what you’ve revealed?

Pray about how you can more and more walk in step with the Spirit. What changes do you need to make in your thoughts or actions? Who can you have a meaningful conversation with about these changes?

Continue to pray for the fruit of the Spirit in your life and in the life of the church. Imagine a church full of people who were walking in step with the Spirit and whose lives were characterized by the fruit of the Spirit. What kind of difference could God make through us in our community? Could we see our vision become a reality because loneliness, anxiety, and addiction were reduced? Because people experienced Christ through us? Let’s join together and pray!

Coming up next week…

We’re getting closer and closer to the end of this amazing letter. You don’t want to miss our final two weeks!