Fruit of the Spirit/Joy

 

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.  Galatians 5:22-23

     That soul-deep, Spirit-filled fruit of joy is established when we accept Jesus as Savior. At that moment, we are seated in heaven, with the promise of everlasting joy. Some days, hopefully most days, as we mature in our faith, that joy can sustain us through the ups and downs of life. Christ is with us today, tomorrow, forever. Somehow, though, life gets in the way, doesn’t it?

     Let’s pick up with Joyful Jenny a few years later. Her youngest child has been sick off and on for a few months with no real answers and there are health concerns with her parents. Prayer and Bible study still hold a vital and prominent place in her life, but the words and the prayers feel empty. They are not moving from her head to her heart. The joy is missing.

     That missing joy moves another few miles into the distance as she spots Crabby Cathy.

     “You know I don’t like the sound of that company you chose to do our driveways. I may call someone else to get an estimate.”

     There was no love in her heart as JJ said, “You do whatever you need to do.” And she walked inside. The company she chose? No, they chose it together! How could she continue to speak to her next-door neighbor with love when she never received anything in return except criticism?  

     “Lord, how do you keep loving people when they don’t listen or respond?”

    Joyful Jenny relied on the other women of faith in her life, especially the older women. They spoke with such wisdom and love. Most of them had been through so much and continued to trust Jesus even in the midst of impossible circumstances. Their stories gave her new hope. Walking into Bible study early, she was relieved to see Evelyn.

    “First of all,” Evelyn said after listening quietly for a few minutes, “tell Jesus absolutely everything on your heart. He understands exactly where you are and He will get you through. Praise Him and thank Him for working in all of these situations. All of us go through times of despair. Why do tough things seem to come in groups? Remember we are a work in progress. We just read that in Philippians 1. Believe me, He is never done working on us.

    I also want to give you encouragement with your neighbor. You may not see results, but you have been planting seeds in her life for years. You may be the only Jesus she ever meets. Jesus will do the heart changing. Trust Him to know the timing. And one more thing. Don’t allow others to steal your joy. You know Jesus!”

     JJ felt a surge of that missing joy. Encouraging Evelyn gave her a verse to memorize.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

    Today it just so happened they were studying the 4^th chapter of Philippians. Paul is writing from a prison cell, trusting God, changing even the jailers’ lives and this is part of what he says to JJ and to us.

Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again; Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Dear Father in heaven,

You tell us to come to you when we are weary and burdened (Matthew 11) Teach us to be joyful in hope.

We rejoice in Jesus.

Amen