“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:22-24 NAS)
In 1982-83, when I went to then Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), I was impacted by the spirit and attitude of the people. Their evangelism focus and zeal was — still is — unmatched anywhere. Many had experienced hardships and tragedies beyond anything I could have imagined prior to going there. Their stories are too numerous to relate here. Unimaginable horrors!
Yet, I do not remember ever hearing any complaints from any minister or church members. Instead, those precious saints exuded love and joy. Their smiles were radiant. They insisted on serving our mission team despite their infirmities and circumstances.
Many only wanted to hear what was happening in my ministry, my family, and the church I served. I was amazed how people who lived with such physical discomforts and challenging circumstances could be so happy . . . much less evangelistic.
It has been many years since I journeyed among the saints in Africa. As a pastor, I have learned that those qualities I saw in the African saints were the fruit of the Spirit being lived out daily in their lives. Now when the challenges of ministry and life threaten to distract me from being patient, loving, and kind, I reflect on my African journey and some people I shall never forget. My memories of them remind me to let the fruit of the Spirit shine through in my actions.
Dear Father, thank you for your Spirit who grows your fruit in us. Enable us to yield to his work that our passions and desires may be truly crucified. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged in the work of the Holy Spirit,