Good morning…
“As I read this morning’s message,” one of you wrote after reading of the “hidden wholeness” of fall, “I thought of the Bible study I am doing, The Good and Beautiful God series. Might we look at autumn as an opportunity to shed old self-protective habits to make room for the Holy Spirit within us to make new habits grow? So the browning, the dying, the falling off of old bad habits (lying, gossiping, selfishness, anger) is a necessary part of spiritual growth. We let go of old ways of distancing ourselves from God and others, we surrender to the guidance of God’s Word, and we are given a renewed Spirit to grow fruit from God’s vine (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control). These fruits can only have space to grow in our lives if we allow God to get rid of old, self-centered habits. Maybe we can see fall as a time to shed our self defeating defenses to be replaced by the growth of God’s gifts from within. As always, thank you, Sue, for your words each morning. They make me think and dwell with my Lord.”
I love the lesson this reader teaches and how well it weds with the first three verses of the first Psalm in our Bible.
Step 1. As God grows strong in our souls, we witness the falling away of old hurtful habits. Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.
Step 2. We reconnect to God’s Word, remaining attached to God’s life-giving vine. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.
Step 3. Because of God’s healing power coursing through our veins, we watch the fruit of God’s Spirit grow gradually in our lives. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do (Psalm 1:1-3, NLT).
This fall season, might we watch selfish habits decline, decay, and die to make room for Galatians 5:22-23 (MSG) to expand within us each day? But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
This autumn may we direct our energies wisely, disconnecting from the destructive ways of our world to delightfully recommit to the ways of our LORD. Step by step by step, every day.
…Sue…
