getting dressed

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. ~Galatians 5:22-23 (MSG)

fruit – anything produced

The result of living in step with the Holy Spirit, is His fruit.

How many times is our ‘fruit’ tended by the Dresser? A dresser tends to the fruit and “the tending involved slitting the top of each piece of fruit to hasten its ripening and to produce a sweeter, more edible fruit” (Holman Bible Dictionary).

How often is our love bruised, our joy shattered, our peace disrupted, our patience tested, our kindness stretched, our goodness challenged, our faithfulness questioned, our gentleness probed, and our self-control non-existent?

So, does the ‘dressing’ of the fruit that is produced in us, lead to a sweeter, more edible fruit?

Are the challenges, the questions, the disruptions, for our ultimate good?  Does our fruit mature without these moments of hastening?

Do we resist the dressing?

As Christians, we are known by our fruit, and we are called to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:22).  So, if this our goal, and dressing the fruit aids in producing a sweeter fruit, doesn’t it make sense that the ‘slitting’ of the fruit of the Spirit in us, will produce in us more mature fruit?

ouch!

Sounds like a painful process to me, but the reward is going to be stellar!

And, thankfully, we don’t go through the process alone.

be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. ~Joshua 1:9

grace.