I want to be a FULL Mango tree. Yes….Mango tree! I was talking with a dear friend of mine – she’s 4 – and AWESOME! I was telling her that she has the same Holy Spirit living in her, that I have living in me. I had heard someone say recently that “God doesn’t give out a child size version of Himself and the Holy Spirit. He gives them the real thing!” What does that mean to a 4 year old?
Well, I asked her what her favorite fruit was…and she said Mangos!! I let her know that she is like a Mango tree, and when she practices the Fruit of the Spirit, another Mango grows on her! The Bible tells us that the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). So, when she practices these things, she grows a new Mango and we have fun deciding what color, and smell her new mango has. Self Control is super hard, but the yummy, awesome fruit it produces in our lives benefits us, and gives food to those around us!
My dear friend’s mangos are PURPLE, and smell like strawberries. How about yours?
What kind of fruit are you producing in your life?
What does it look like and smell like to those around you?
World Racers are actively cultivating our trees through community, and the presence of God. In the presence of God, and with the help of others who get to point out our stinky fruit, we allow God to prune our lives. This is critical for the World Racer! There is too much at steak. Lives are literally on the line. To go is to say ‘Yes’ to God, and all the more reason to say ‘Yes’ to Him as He teaches us and helps us bear good fruit!
Will you say ‘Yes’ to God for your life, and invite Him to cultivate good Fruit of the Spirit in your life through His presence, and community? Being willing to let other people truly see our tree can be scary! But if we find people of God who are also saying ‘yes’ to Him, then we can help each other identify stinky fruit, and point out the good fruit we didn’t know was there!
