Real Hope: Fruit of the SpiritSample

The Seed Of Faithfulness

Let us consider the unequivocal power of ‘faithfulness’ for a moment. What would today look like when we are so saturated with the assurance of God’s existence and goodness that it colors everything we do? To be so resolute that believing is no longer a choice – but part of our DNA? So brim to the lid are we with this spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit that we exude an unshakable certainty of God’s reality and goodness. What a comfort this kind of fidelity would be to those around us consumed by fear and doubt. 

Dr. Helen Roseveare shared the story of the struggle to keep an orphaned, premature baby alive in her makeshift hospital in regional Zaire. Improvising an incubator, they found that the only hot water bottle available was beyond repair. The staff gathered together and prayed for the newborn baby girl and her older sister. A child in the prayer circle whispered, ‘Dear God, please send a hot water bottle today. Tomorrow will be too late. And dear Lord, please send a doll for her sister so she won’t be too lonely.’ A few hours later, a large package arrived from London, packed and sent months before. Beneath some clothing, a new hot water bottle. The child who prayed squealed with excitement. ‘Keep looking – the hot water bottle is there – God MUST have sent a doll too!’ There was.  

Childlike naiveté? Perhaps. However, in reading Dr. Roseveare’s account, I’m also struck by the faithfulness practiced by the staff with those children. Our God IS faithful. He hears our prayers. As a fruit of the spirit, faithfulness isn’t generated from within, it’s seeded within us by God who prototypes faithfulness every second of every day. 

written by DWAYNE JEFFRIES