“By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
Galatians 5:22
Like much of the country, my home region has already had significant winter weather. I have lived in Pennsylvania for nearly 25 years, but the snow we had a couple of weeks ago is unlike any that I can recall. We’ve had heavy amounts of the white stuff in years past, but when combined with temperatures that stayed well below freezing, the precipitation has remained frozen on yards, sidewalks, and streets far longer than usual. Like many of my neighbors, I’ve had enough.
On a rare day a couple of weeks ago when the thermometer reading rose above the freezing mark, I took my car to one of those self-service car washes. This particular facility has four bays and there were vehicles in each of them at my arrival. I chose a lane and pulled in behind a pickup truck. It soon became apparent that the owner loved his vehicle as he was exceptionally thorough in getting rid of the ice, salt, and dirt. He washed the side panels and the hood, the roof and undercarriage, the wheel wells and the tires. After one complete cycle, he started over.
By this point, each of the bays to the left and right had emptied at least once and been occupied again. I think one of those spaces was filled and cleared twice before the truck owner was complete. He loved that truck! I, on the other hand, was getting annoyed. I had nowhere else to go, but still grumbled under my breath as he continued to wash his vehicle.
Finally, he finished and walked over to the payment station. He seemed to have difficulty completing the transaction. That apparent delay did not help my mood. The man waved in my direction. I had no idea what he was signaling until he walked up to my car. I rolled down the window and he said “There’s still 6 minutes left on the clock. Help yourself!” Now embarrassed, I thanked him and pulled forward and enjoyed his generosity. I even completed washing my vehicle on his dollar, but drove away chagrined nonetheless.
In contrast to my actions that day, the Apostle Paul encouraged a different set of attributes. It comes in his letter to believers in the region of Galatia when he offers a list of behaviors that he calls “works of the flesh.” Paul is referring to human emotions and deeds that are contrary to what God seeks from us. Among other things, he cites “enmities, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions” as being oppositional to the work of the Holy Spirit.
“By contrast,” he continues “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” After completing the list of desired traits he concluded, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.”
In sharing my carwash mis-adventure, it’s pretty clear who was acting from the second list and who was not. Still, I offer it to you as evidence of how easily it is to get off track. I share it also as a word of gratitude for truck owners and others who reveal a better way.
Holy Spirit, thank you for the people in my day who reveal evidence of the kind of life you intend. Forgive me for the times I fall short and let me be inspired by such everyday saints who show a better way. Amen.
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