Devotional by Lauren Webb
Scripture for Today: Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV), “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
The red and white checked table cloth fell in a pattern under my hand. I absently ran my fingers over the design while I tried to rein control over my emotions. I hated crying in public.
The Corner Market Café was filled during a busy afternoon lunch. The faint clink of dishes and sweet southern voices made a comforting canopy over our table. I glanced up at my dearest friend and mentor. Her hands went still as she thought deeply.
She then took a deep enough breath for me to see her chest move. If she were a poker player, this would be her tell. I knew I wanted to hear the wisdom she was about to offer.
I found myself in a place of inactivity, spiritually. I was praying for direction and seeking wisdom through study and wise counsel, but God had been very quiet. It had come to a point that I felt disobedient.
I didn’t know where to serve, and there seemed to be a lack of fruit in my walk of faith. I would in turn try to generate the direction to go, but it felt inauthentic. I just didn’t know what God was calling me to do.
She finally said, “The way I think about keeping in step with the Spirit is this. I am responsible for making the next decision God sends me, then He is in charge of everything else.”
It was as if a weight lifted from my chest.
So often we make the mistake of reading the above Scripture as a checklist or resume. We forget that the list of attributes above is not our responsibility to manufacture or jewels to adorn ourselves with.
They will only be shown as inauthentic when done out of self-motivation. These are the attributes of the Holy Spirit. They belong to God, and when we walk with Him, His fruit is shown through us. However, our divine selection does not dull our human responsibility.
Our job is to walk with Him and keep in step with Him—one decision at a time. Through each decision we make to honor Christ, He in turn produces something new in us.
Our job is simple: to walk in line with Him by making the very next decision in honor of Him, and trusting Him with everything else.
Spend Time in Scripture Challenge:
Take the Scripture assigned for each day and write it out, read it out loud, memorize it, and share it with someone on your path of life.
Day One – Matthew 7:15-20
Day Two – Ephesians 5:9
Day Three – Colossians 3:12-15
Day Four – Galatians 6:8
Day Five – Romans 8:1