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“… the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

– Galatians 5:22-23

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see the fruit of the Spirit increasingly abound among Stonecroft women? Such spiritual growth should be an ongoing theme in our prayers.

But how can we, as Christians, produce more fruit of the Spirit?

The answer is simple: we can’t. We must depend entirely on the Spirit to create and maintain these qualities within us.

The fruit of the Spirit appears in the book of Galatians, a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to teach the church that Christianity hinges on faith, not rule-keeping. Why, Paul asks, would Christians begin their faith-walk with the Spirit, then trudge through life trying to reach perfection by human effort? (See Galatians 3:1-3.)

Instead, Paul exhorts us to lead righteous lives by keeping “in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25, NIV). But what does that look like?

We might assume it’s an intricately choreographed, expertly executed ballroom dance – a Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire routine requiring countless hours of practice.

But this Spirit-led dance more closely resembles a daddy-daughter waltz. Have you ever seen a little girl dance with her father by placing her small feet on his strong ones? She has no need to master the steps or even keep time with the music. As she stands on her father’s feet and holds on tightly, his strength carries her wherever he goes.

Consider the great love God has lavished on us by calling us His daughters (1 John 3:1a)! It astounds me that the same God who created all things, from the tiniest insect to the tallest mountain, desires close fellowship with us – even on the days we assume we can’t squeeze Him into our schedules.

Dear sisters, let us treasure our time with God. When we read and reflect on the Scriptures, we come to know God’s voice. When we abide in His presence – in worship and prayer – He aligns our steps ever closer to His.

I pray that in Stonecroft’s 80th year, the fruit of the Spirit will abound in our lives, creating a spiritual longing in women who walk without Christ. May the Holy Spirit fill us with courage to share with them this very Good News: The Father waits with outstretched arms, ready to embrace them in an everlasting dance.

 

Scriptures for Reflection:

Galatians 5:22-23; Galatians 5:25, NIV; Galatians 3:1-3; Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:11; Romans 14:17; and John 15:1, 4-5

Questions:

  1. Have you ever tried to maintain some aspect of the Spirit’s fruit, such as joy, gentleness, or self-control, through your own strength? What happened?
  2. How might the fruit of the Spirit displayed in our lives cause women who don’t know Jesus Christ to want to learn more about Him?
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