Have you ever experienced those moments where you cannot find it in your human nature to…
Love your enemies?
Turn the other cheek?
Be merciful?
Be a peacemaker?
Be humble?
Be compassionate?
Respond to an insult with blessing?
Sometimes, in these moments of emptiness, I find myself being transformed and filled by the power of the Holy Spirit. I find myself…
Loving with a love that is not my own,
Remembering how Jesus responded in His journey to the cross,
Being given mercy so I might be merciful,
Making peace where there is much dispeace,
Walking in humility in my brokenness,
Compassionately reaching out to others,
And Blessing because I have been blessed.
I like to call these moments, “Pineapple Moments.” These occur when, unexpectedly I respond to situations or circumstances in ways much greater than myself. After these pineapple moments occur, I often am amazed at how I responded, and then am quickly reminded, that it was not me. It was Him.
A pineapple has a prickly, tough exterior. I find this represents my human nature. When a pineapple has ripened, it lets off a sweet scent. The skin is carved away to reveal the tender, bright yellow, and delicious fruit. When I fully surrender to the Father who carves away my human nature, the results can be quite beautiful, just like the inside of a pineapple!
