For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. (Rom. 14:17,18)
It's the last day of August and bushes are overflowing with rich blackberries. Tim, Emily, and I celebrated the season by going blackberry picking along the Willamette River Sunday afternoon. Don't our berries look juicy? Mmm.
Do you remember long August afternoons picking blackberries till your shins were covered with scratches and your hands were covered with red juice? Lemonade days. Blackberry pie nights. Did we really need to add sugar to something that sweet?
I loved the blackberries of Delaware summer days. My girl friends, sisters and I picked them for hours in the afternoon sun. As we picked the berries, I pictured them in pies, cobblers, and bowls full of them with extra sugar on top. I popped a few into my mouth as we went along.
I could not help but look over at my friends' bowls. I wanted mine to be just as full as theirs. I was eager to win my friends' approval by matching their motions, berry for berry. When they reached for berries down low, I bent to pick some near my feet. When they reached up high, I stretched on tiptoes to get the ones barely within reach. The choice vine right in front of me was heavy with ripe berries, bowing like a servant before his queen. But I continued to look to my friends to set the standard, and concentrated on them instead.
God calls us to focus on His Kingdom, which lies within us. His righteousness is a safe place, one of protection of our hearts. His peace becomes ours when we take our eyes off others and put them on Him. Practicing the presence of God throughout the day purposes to make His calm center ours. And Jesus joy – irresistible, irreversible joy – finds no limits when we're filled to overflowing with the freedom we find only in His Spirit.
What pleases God the most? When we serve Christ with His righteousness, His peace, His joy. Bowls full of His fruit.
And that's the sweetest treat of all.
Get "10 Tips for a Smart Transition."
Enter your first name and email address and get your FREE ebook "10 Tips for a Smart Transition."
Learn how to make decisions you won't regret. Overcome the anxiety of tough decisions with a clear head, peaceful heart, and confidence.
Sign up here!
Jarrod Spencer On August 31, 2011 at 2:01 pm
Some days I think my “bowl of fruit” I offer is not that “sweet!” Which is usually because I chose to “leave my self out” or “pick the fruit too soon” that makes it sour.
Other days, I know it is a good bowl of fruit!
Though I am not a blackberry fan, I enjoyed the post! Turn it around to Colorado peaches…and yum yum! (even if I haven’t had those for awhile).
Lynn Hare On August 31, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Thanks, Jarrod. I like peaches more than blackberries, too. Bake me a peach pie and get on my sweet side any day. Make sure it’s gluten-free.
Lynn (another one) On August 31, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Lynn, what a sweet reminder of keeping our focus on the blackberry Maker and Creator…rather than on those who are making use of them. After all, He is the only one checking us out, ultimately.
To tell you the truth, I have no memories of blackberry picking, having grown up in the Southwest…we had grapefruit and oranges. Blackberries are a delight here in the Northwest!
Lynn Hare On September 1, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Yeah, like Sir Isaac Newton, I got beaned on the head. Only it wasn’t an apple. It was a blackberry. God uses all kinds of things to get my attention.
Susan On September 1, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Thanks for the reminder, Lynn. I want to be filled with the fruits of the Spirit.
John Steven Vredevelt On September 20, 2011 at 7:35 am
My hands got stained this summer too. So yummie. I pray His Spirit will stain others with His Goodness as his fruit refreshes them.