“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” -Gal 5:22-24
As I was walking home, I saw an acorn tree.
There were things that looked like some sort of fruit.
So I wondered, where are the acorns? And what are those things?
And ‘duh’ it hit me! Those were the acorns! They just weren’t ripe.
Of course! It takes time for fruit to ripen and become edible.
Until then, the squirrels won’t eat it because it’s not edible and not appealing.
This reminded me of the fruit of the Spirit in us.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control…
I used to think that when I see some fruit in me, it would be delicious and ready to eat.
But when I tasted it, it tasted bitter so I got discouraged.
I would get so excited if I saw a glimpse of one of the fruits of the Spirit in me, but disappointment soon followed when I tasted it.
As I saw the unripe acorn, I realized that my fruit, too, was still unripe.
Though there might be forms of the fruit, the inside was still raw.
It takes time and effort for fruit to mature and become edible.
I realized that I have to make sure that the good fruit is getting the nutrition it needs.
Just bearing fruit doesn’t mean that it is edible.
I have to feed it so that it won’t die but grow to be delicious fruit.
But so many times I’m busy feeding my sinful fruit.
And I find myself fighting against the Holy Spirit that is wanting to feed my good fruit.
이 생각을 했는데… 오늘도 난 안 좋은 열매들을 키운 것 같아 하나님께 미안하다..
