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Thoughts on the Fruit of the Spirit

By Dan | June 14, 2008

This week I was away at Messiah’s Confirmation Camp. It was an incredible experience watching dozens of kids grow in faith and relationships over the four days and I think I’ll post something more on this sometime this coming week, but for the purposes of this morning I want to mention the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). This is a famous passage of Scripture and served as the foundational text for our camp. The devotions looked at these fruit and actually compared them to the gifts found in the movie, The Ultimate Gift, with which you might be familiar.

A couple of thoughts about all of this. First, it was great to read this text over and over throughout the week, really reflect on it, and then observe others. I got to watch teens exhibit acts of kindness as Junior Counselors took younger campers under their wings. I saw joy in their faces as they sang or even in class when something worked for them. I saw love as friends grew closer and new friendships were formed.

But thankfully my reflections didn’t stop with the kids. While camp is primarily about them, I’ve found that it’s also a growing experience for me. So when Kim Davis (our DCE) challenged us the last day to think and pray about those we love most, and those in our lives that it’s hardest to love, I had a nice little talk with God.

Read through the fruit of the Spirit right now if you didn’t already. (Gal. 5:22-23)

Which is easiest for you? . . . Which is hardest? . . . And specifically, I’d like to pass on Kim’s challenge to you. Who in your life do you find it easiest to love? Give thanks to God for them. Also, who in your life do you find it hard to love right now? Pray to God for them and for yourself as you seek to express his love to them.