Everyone loves a luscious piece of fruit – a tree-ripened apple, a juicy peach. Ruby red strawberries. Maybe that’s why the result of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling is called “fruit”. Not veggies, not grains, but fruit! The Apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 5 of the fruit the Holy Spirit produces in us when we say “yes” to Him. The supernatural character of Christ! Love for people at work who hog the printer. Joy when our kids make our hearts ache with a thoughtless call. Peace over that broken furnace. Patience with the poky and entitled Post Office worker as she revels in her power over you. Gentleness with a thrashing two year old. Meekness, stepping aside for the pushy woman in Shaw’s with her overflowing basket, and you with your one carton of melting ice cream. Goodness as that jerk in the BMW cuts you off in traffic. Faithfulness when you find out that your dear friend has betrayed you. Self-control as you listen to Auntie’s childhood memory for the 50th. time.
I cannot produce this fruit, any more than I can grow an apple or a peach at the end of my arm. This is the power of the Gospel. This is Christ in us, delicious, delectable fruit that we share with the world. Fruit meant to be consumed, life giving, nourishing. We get to pass it around every day as we say “Yes” to the Holy Spirit. The tangible presence of Jesus in our world.