The Spirit's Rule

Galatians 5:22 – 23  . . . the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

In the Christian spiritual tradition, a “rule of life” outlines the things one seeks to do, and perhaps tries to avoid, in order to become more Christ-like. Some people observe regular prayer disciplines, receive communion frequently, commit to some form of service to others, or do some combination of these and other practices. Faithful disciples realize that if they don’t make room in their lives for spiritual growth, other things will move in line ahead of it.

While this scripture is not so much an outline of activities as a list of qualities, it has become my rule. It’s not that I try hard to display these qualities, doing my best, for example, to look patient when I am not. Rather, this scripture has become my yardstick. When these traits flow from me naturally, it is evidence the Holy Spirit is at work transforming me. When they do not, I need to adjust what I am doing to make room for the Spirit’s movement – perhaps spending more time in prayer or scripture study, praying for people with whom I am impatient, or asking God to help me see how the world looks through another’s eyes. Does this work? Yes, but my growth would be much greater if I were more faithful in applying the yardstick.

For each of us, some of these qualities are more of a challenge than others. I do pretty well with patience, for example, until I have to wait for just about anything. Which of these traits sometimes elude you? How could you open your heart to the Spirit’s work to transform you?