MY BUCKET LIST

The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 2:17 (NASB)

My bucket list reads more like fantasy than reality.

Spend the night curled up next to a sleeping leopard, gazing up at a starry sky from a bed of rainforest ferns.

Swim to the center of the ocean and float wherever the current takes me without fear.

Leap, arms outstretched from the highest mountain peak and feel the exhilarating rush that almost takes my breath away.

Walk alone at night, slipping through moon shadows unafraid.

Live to a ripe old age with strong bones, body and mind and then die peacefully in my sleep after a wonderful evening in the company of a happy, healthy, Christ-loving, well-adjusted family.

There's just one problem. My bucket has a hole in it!

The reality is, fear, sickness, injury, death, dissension, and depression take away the joy and possibility of checking those desires off my list.

The world is flawed. Sin entered. There's a snake in the garden.

Fortunately, God saw our plight and by grace through Jesus, provided us with a new, holy bucket filled with a plan for a way back to Him and our perfect eternal home.

So, I'm exchanging my holey bucket and making a new list.

I think it will contain seeking the fruit of the Spirit, pursuing lost souls and growing in a deeper knowledge of Him until the day He calls me home or returns.

And somehow, I think there just may be enough time in eternity to curl up with a leopard after all.

Father, thank you that Your Heavenly plan for us is so much greater than our selfish and frivolous earthly desires. Amen.

©2016 Bonnie Mae Evans

Christian Splotches or Christian Nature?

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 (RSV)

During Sunday dinner at a restaurant, my husband stared at my new jacket. Sporting splotches of fall's bright red, orange, yellow and brown colors, it reminded me of harvest time.

"Did I spill something?" I asked.

"Who can tell?" was the reply.

Returning home, I put the jacket away and wondered how often Christian life intersects with that question. "Who can tell?" Are we so busy that one spiritual fruit dropped into the mix just disappears? Hopefully, anyone who comes near sees a whole person living a life dedicated to Christ, not somebody wearing a jacket with superficial splashes of Christianity plopped down here and there.

Following his list, Paul concentrates on the first spiritual fruit, love. It's the one which dominates as he talks about the Lord's teaching, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Gal 5:14b). Then he ends by stating that those belonging to Christ have crucified their passions and desires of the flesh. He also encourages his readers to walk by the Lord's teachings.

Paul's explanation shows that the fruit of the Spirit is internal, not external. The spiritual fruits serve to identify Christians because they are embedded for eternity. Anyone led by the Spirit will, by nature, exhibit the fruit which arises, like the colors of autumn, from the heart of our Creator.

Lord, may our hearts allow you to lead us to be identified as Christians. Amen

© 2011 V. Colclasure

Keep in Step

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:25-26 (ESV)

The light turned green, and the car in front of me did not move. After waiting what seemed to be minutes, I beeped the car horn. The car did not move. What is wrong with that lady? I’ll bet she is on her cell phone.

I waited for what seemed like several more minutes and with a huff, honked the horn again. Her car moved and then stopped quickly. A blue pickup truck blew through the intersection running a red light.

I sat stunned. If the lady had moved on my second provoking, she would have been broadsided by the truck. If she had proceeded on my first horn toot, I would have followed her through the green light and I would have been broadsided.

What came to mind was that God protected us. I being pushy and indignant accused the lady of not paying attention to her driving. How many times do I bulldoze through life? Galatians 5 also states, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV).

Was the driver of the first car obeying the Holy Spirit? I do not know, but I do know that our lives were spared that day. God taught me a lesson about patience, kindness, and self-control. I was not exhibiting the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and He revealed to me why I should listen to Him.

Dear Lord, You use all things to teach us. May we be more obedient, listening when You direct.

© 2011 Mary Burkey