As we approach the season of Spring this month, I’ve chosen “Fruits of the Spirit” as our Theme. Galatians 5:22 reads: “But the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self control, there are no law against these. Let us therefore live in the spirit and surrender to the spirit.” It seems to me that we are being instructed to live in the spirit and surrender to it and if we do so, we will enjoy spirit’s beautiful fruits. The first two fruits listed are love and joy. I think they pair nicely together. Who wouldn’t want more love and joy in their lives? Living in love releases us from all sorts of negative and draining energy. Love is accepting and welcoming to all. Love softens our hearts and helps put a smile on our face. Joy also does that for us as well. There is quite a difference between being joyful and happy. Happiness tends to come to us based on outside circumstances however joy is a much deeper feeling and experience. It doesn’t depend on anything outside us. To be open and receptive to the love and joy of the spirit means we value our time with spirit. It means we see with the eyes of God, knowing as we surrender to the spirit, we are guided and directed to our highest and best good. God’s love for us is unending and it behooves us to reflect that love back out into our world. Greet each soul with highest regards. Look at everyone as your brother or sister, for we are all one family – children of God living in Its kingdom here and now.
Say with me: “I am eager to surrender my life to the spirit and live with love and joy in my heart today and always.”
—Rev. Gay Beauregard, Alpine Church of Spiritual Living
