I have a wonderful confession to make: “I have enjoyed all the comments on the Fruit of the Spirit series!” Some have said they want me to move to another subject! Others have said it has been a good challenge to see these God-given values fleshed out a little bit more. Who would have thought that these sweet sounding words, “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control,” could have such a “bite” to them?

As we are coming near the end of the series, one thing stands out clearly to me. The Fruit of the Spirit is a call to intentional living! No one will just happen to end up growing in spiritual kindness. I won’t just wake up one morning and fall into biblical patience. You can’t accidentally learn self-control. We are talking INTENTIONAL LIVING!

As we go through the summer, please join me in doing a real inventory of the values by which you live. Don’t let this challenge from Galatians 5:22-23 slip past and find you living the same old way you always have. It really is time for us to “grow up” and follow Christ more closely. There is not one thing in that list of fruit that will hurt you! In fact, think how the people in your life would love to see you growing in those qualities! Don’t settle for the way you’ve lived up until now! Get intentional and “get in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25) and let the changes begin.

Getting more intentional. . .Don