Jesus Only: Part OneSample

Week 2, Day 4 - Wednesday

God Grows Spiritual Fruit

Both Annette and I (Jenice) have had appendectomy surgeries. Mine was just recently. In the early days after the surgery, I observed my body healing itself incrementally. Every day I got a little stronger and could do a little more than the day before. It was amazing to watch! I realized as this was happening to me that I have NO IDEA what my body actually does to heal. I know I have DNA, and I know that my cells use this code to multiply. I know my white blood cells fight infections and scars form. But how does it really work? Only God knows, and only God can do it!

So what’s my job in the healing process? Eat healthy. Get extra rest. Don’t lift over 10 lbs., etc. By doing these things, I can position myself for healing, but I am not the one actually doing the healing.  

Much is the same with God growing His fruit in our life. We can’t make the fruit happen – we have NO IDEA how to make it happen. In fact, when we try to replicate God’s fruit with our own human strength, God calls that kind of self-righteousness “filthy rags.” No, only God can grow His fruit in us.  

So what’s our job? To position ourselves for Him to do His work in us. Listen for His gentle voice in times of quiet. Meditate on Scripture. Find a faithful friend or small group to share with and pray for us. But most of all, surrender to God, knowing that we cannot do it on our own. Remember, He does the work. “He is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). Let us cease our striving to grow spiritually, get out of the way, and let God do His beautiful work in us.

Reflection Questions:

How might it look for me to position myself before God today?

Is there something God is inviting me to?

What or who is God inviting me to surrender today?

Are there ways that I try to direct my spiritual growth that God may be asking me to relinquish?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for growing  fruit in me! I need You and rely on You to do this, and I cannot do it without You!  Show me where I need to surrender so I can be more like You. In Jesus' name, Amen.