Living in the Spirit

June 17, 2020

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 69:7-10-18

But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord.
   At an acceptable time, O God,
   in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me.
With your faithful help rescue me
   from sinking in the mire;
let me be delivered from my enemies
   and from the deep waters.
Do not let the flood sweep over me,
   or the deep swallow me up,
   or the Pit close its mouth over me.

Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good;
   according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
Do not hide your face from your servant,
   for I am in distress—make haste to answer me.
Draw near to me, redeem me,
   set me free because of my enemies. –Psalm 69:13-18

Some people could probably have been classified as my external enemies. They were primarily people who saw me as a roadblock to their personal accomplishments or success. And they can be a thorn in the flesh.

As I read the above selection of scripture, I was struck by the thought that I often am my own worst enemy. Impatience can be a good thing if it counteracts ennui—emptiness of spirit. Impatience is harmful if it causes us to act without carefully considering the consequences of our actions. Finding our holy center regarding the fruit of the Spirit, which includes patience, requires us to pray the prayer that says answer my prayer at an acceptable time. I do, however, think God understands our frustration when immediately after we offer the, “give me patience prayer,” we implore God to make haste to answer us, knowing that the answer may be, wait.

Seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all times is the best means to having the Spirit’s gifts so ingrained in our being that they rise to the occasion when we face our enemies even when our enemies are ourselves.

…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. —Galatians 5:22-23

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the fruit of your Spirit and for helping us incorporate them into our beings. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.