22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this.
Reflection
Did you ever hear the expression that the United States is like a melting pot? People come here from all kinds of creeds and cultures and they become American! Everything they were gets melted down and blended with everyone around them and the next generation is a blend of all of it with some sense of conformity. That’s what makes you “American.” This is one of the things I grew up kind-of understanding. That changed a little bit in college when I was taking my teaching courses; the updated version was a “salad bowl” rather than a “melting pot.”
The idea is to help students feel ownership of their identity and heritage. You don’t have to melt or blend to be a valuable member of society. All of our differences can coexist without necessarily changing or conforming and that makes us better as a whole.
Iceberg lettuce alone does not a salad make! A salad gets better with more stuff!
A classroom population gets better with a variety of perspectives, opinions, and experience. One thing I loved about my classes in Texas was the diversity not just of skin color, but stories, language, and FOOD! We learn so much from each other when diversity is embraced and celebrated.
So our scripture today reminds us to keep this going not just in the populations around us, but in the actions of our hearts. Having all of these fruits present in the fruit salad of your heart achieves not only a healthy Christian existence, but it also gives balance to each of these components. Too much banana? You’ve got a pile of slimy mush.
Too much joy? Are you practicing self-control?
Too much patience? Is your peace in jeopardy?
Too much love? Of what? Is your faith intact?
Some of these lend themselves more easily to our hearts than others, but it’s important to maintain that variety of flavors because each of them bring something valuable and vibrant to the salad.
by Ashley Bowler
For Pondering and Prayer
Which of the fruits of the Spirit do you find most plentiful in your heart? Why is that? How do you live out or demonstrate these fruits in the day-to-day actions of your life?
Does your fruit salad need a little something else? Are any of the fruits of the spirit lacking a bit from your salad bowl? How can you toss some more of that fruit into your life?
Prayer: Dear Lord,
The fruits of the Spirit are many and add flavor to our lives in such varying ways. Thank you for the diversity in our lives that makes each moment worth savoring. Thank you for the opportunities to grow and share these gifts from our hearts to others. Guide us as we continue to navigate this increasingly complex world; Let our hearts, minds, and spirits be guided and nourished by a diverse and plentiful fruits of the spirit salad. Amen.
