October 30, 2023
Simplicity
Simplicity is life changing. To grasp a concept in its simplest form empowers understanding and application. It forms deep within the heart and may be recalled and applied in a moment’s notice.
A few times I have found myself struggling to communicate ideas. In witnessing to unbelievers I struggled to find the right words for sin. In an attempt to correct one of my children I stumbled over trying to explain a character attribute. How can I do better next time? I think by grasping the core of these ideas through simplicity. Below is an attempt to simplify the fruit of the Spirit that we may recall it when needed.
Galatians 5:22–23 - 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
| Fruit Simplicity | (+ illustration) | Asks |
|---|---|---|
| Love | Giving so others gain (watering a garden) | Love asks how can I show your value? |
| Joy | Delighting in God’s work (what a beautiful sunset) | Joy asks what has God accomplished? |
| Peace | Getting along with others (putting the weapons down) | Peace asks how can we do this together? |
| Patience | Waiting out the difficulty (Waiting for the storm to pass) | Patience asks what do I have to look forward to? |
| Kindness | Doing helpful actions (lending an extra hand) | Kindness asks how can I help you? |
| Goodness | Being generous for others welfare (overflowing buckets of water) | Goodness asks how can I benefit you? |
| Faithfulness | Sticking until the end (Oak tree) | Faithfulness asks how can I complete my commitment? |
| Gentleness | Not self-asserting(lightning before thunder) | Gentleness asks how can I see you before me? |
| Self-Control | Not giving into thoughts or emotions (anchored buoy) | Self-control asks how can I restrain myself? |
Read through the fruit of the Spirit a few times this week and try to grasp each fruit in its simplicity. May the Lord enable a simplistic grasp followed by a dynamic outpouring.