Have you ever noticed how bad choices seem to feed off of bad choices? Take for example, when my family gets too busy and we take the shortcut of allowing ourselves to eat out too much. A few trips to the drive-thru between soccer practices can quickly turn into fast food several times a week. The convenience turns into a craving and all of a sudden it's morning coffee pick-ups, takeout lunches, and late-night munchies all the way.
Now have you ever noticed that the same is true for healthy choices? If you can break the cycle of convenience long enough to cook a few healthy meals, pack a few lunches, and eat a few salads, you soon find your body craving more healthy foods. Exercise is similar. The first few workouts are always the hardest. But when I am able to establish a routine of regular exercise my body desires more movement. Instead of dealing with a mentally or emotionally taxing day by reaching for a salty afternoon snack, I find myself lacing up the running shoes, looking forward to clearing my mind and feeling the endorphin mood boost to come. Our bodies are actually hard-wired for healthy living and respond and adjust at surprising rates.
I think this is what St. Paul is talking about in Galatians when he describes the fruit of the Spirit. When we are able to turn away from our selfishness long enough to choose the healthy habits of God, we are greeted by the fruits of the Spirit which help us continue to make the good choices that lead to abundant life. I imagine it is a bit like sailing. At first you work very hard to harness the wind, but once that wind fills your sails the work becomes lighter, and soon only minimal adjustments are required to stay your course. God has designed the fruit of the Spirit to be the wind that fills our sails—the spiritual gusts that fills our hearts and push us along the path of holy living, service to others, and faithfulness in God.
Every day, we have the freedom to choose our way or God’s way. As Holly Golightly characterized in
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
, we know what comes from selfishly choosing ourselves. We also know what comes from choosing God’s way. One way leaves us lonely, isolated and living in fear. The other way brings us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As we celebrate our Constitutional freedoms this week, let us also consider our spiritual freedom and free will to choose the truth and goodness of God and all that means for our broken world.
What is a fruit of the Spirit I see evidenced in my life when I make choices to follow Jesus?
What is one bad habit I can resist or good choice I can make this week to bring me closer to God?
How can I be the wind that billows a neighbor’s sails this week?
Written by Andrea Laux, Director of Adult Discipleship
