| "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galations 5:22-23a (NIV) Bacon, eggs and toast, what an enchanting aroma coming from my kitchen as I lie in bed. An enticing smell and a scrumptious taste, no doubt, await those who dare to partake in this meal. Wow, imagine, that simple smell got me out of bed and here at my computer. Really powerful stuff, bacon and eggs. Do you like to eat? What a silly question, considering it is a must for our earthly existence. A better question would be, what do you like to eat the most, or what are your favorite foods? Which meal do you consider most importantly or do you enjoy the most? I would dare say, as you read you are visualizing, at best, your favorite dish or imagining the taste of that tantalizing food. Oh my, I have to stop or I'll be in the kitchen or off to the supermarket. I have many favorites, I come from a family who likes to eat and who enjoy the ritual of family dinners, late night lunches and tea at just about any time of the day. We like to cook, bake and of course sample the results. I myself am quite fond of the sweet category, not sure where these fits into the nutritional realm but not too worried when I am enjoying a piece of chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream. I am awful for that sort of thing, but I would skip any main course to have my dessert, how bad is that. An uncle of mine often says, "You're only going this way once." Words to live by when trying to excuse one's eating habits. So many times in the Christian Experience, we are encouraged to choose the right food, the appropriate nourishment. We are taught to look to God's Word for the good stuff, the meat and drink for our souls. There are many things in this world that we can fill our minds with, corrupt things that can make us damaged goods. There are many characteristics we can possess that may not fall into God's wholesome realm. In Galations, chapter five, Paul gives us a sneak preview of what God, Our Heavenly Father, would consider the good stuff, "love, joys, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control," all God-inspired qualities to make our life here on earth more scrumptious. That's a lot to put on one's plate isn't it? It seems a very tall order, so to speak, but one that we should strive to attain. As I review the fruits of the spirit, I get a little intimidated because I am sure I am not up to par in all of these aspects of my Christian Journey. Then again, I think God is patient and is willing to feed us and help us mature into what He wants us to become. I am sure you possess all of these qualities to some degree, but the goal now would be to trust in God, your Creator, to perfect these things in you. Perfect, may be a strong word but He'll help you to reach your full potential in each of these areas of your life. Go ahead, smell the aroma of breakfast cooking in the kitchen, test any and all of those home-baked goodies and enjoy. In the midst of all these human pleasures, seek to find nutrients for your spiritual growth, look to God and His undeniable wisdom and skill, to help shape you and make you into what He would have you, be. Please allow the Head Chef, Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, to take control of your diet and nurture you with only that which is wholesome in attaining what Paul refers to as "The Fruits of the Spirit." |