Expect the Unexpected---Fruit Facet #9

11/5/09 Yesterday’s ordinary day was in fact an extraordinary day. Why? An ordinary day in my life is not really a ho-hum, mundane kind of day. That would be a “new ordinary” for me, and one that I think I could get used to quite easily. My ordinary days are usually scheduled with work, tyrannies of the urgent and lots of agendas----both mine and others. Yesterday, in my terms, was extraordinary. Extraordinary because it was both “agenda-less” and rare. Maybe I need to find some middle ground between the ordinary (hectic panicky) and the extraordinary (easygoing peaceful). Hm-m-m, that sounds like moderation. And moderation sounds like self-control. And self- control is the final facet of the “Fruit of the Spirit.” (And you thought I’d never get there.) Actually it was unexpected for me as well. But God…………had me thinking about my life yesterday---a life that too easily swings from one end of the pendulum to the other---somewhere between chaos and calm---never quite finding the moderation of the middle---at least not for very long.

This fruit quality might be last on the list but it is an important aspect---one that too many folks try to handle on their own. As with all the fruit facets, the underlying point of reference of self-control must be Spirit led. To grin and bear it is the world’s way. In our own strength (flesh), self-control can often be tempered for a while---but when a goal is blocked or that irregular person reappears in our life, then words can fly like sweet and salt water from the same fountain. (James 3:11-15) Instead of that sweet fruit of the vine (John 15) we produce those bitter berries and wild brambles.

“In the Spirit” is key for this “fruit that comes in nine different flavors.” Thus the lifestyle of the Christian “reflects the selfless and outgoing life of God himself.” (“Dr. Constable’s Notes on Galatians”, p.62) My desire is to give up those acts of my sinful nature and to “keep in step” with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25, sums up the lifestyle evidenced by these 9 unified qualities that are one fruit. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by Spirit."

I hope mine looks like a dance!!