Scripture reference: Galatians 5:16
Transcription:
One aspect of the race for the White House is the race to define and label the candidates. Former President Donald Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, are being called “weird.” You might associate the term far left, a goofy laugh, and a coconut tree with Vice President Kamala Harris. And one who “embellishes” his military record with her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz. You get the picture.
Candidates, if you’re listening, here’s some advice: true leaders transcend labels and are known by their fruit.
However, I will concede that negative labels can both sting and stick. I first experienced this in the 6th grade when I was forced to wear these hideous-looking, flat, black patent leather shoes to my back-to-school dance while the other girls in my class wore moderate to low-heeled shoes. I was called Cinderella for the rest of the school year.
Back then, I put all my efforts into proving anyone who undervalued me wrong. As a schoolgirl, I used my mouth to fire back. As I grew older, I learned to shut my mouth and let my results speak for me.
What I see now is that I was responding on their level – playing tit for tat…fighting fire with fire…driving myself harder and harder to achieve more to be valued as more. Ultimately, I had driven myself to be on “E,” feeling exhausted and empty.
Spiritually speaking, I had been responding in the flesh, yet fruit is born out of the Spirit. John 15:5 teaches us — “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.”
We overcome the flesh by walking in the Spirit.
The fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, faithfulness, and gentleness, are not produced by driving ourselves harder and harder. Instead, they come from the Holy Spirit at work within us, shaping and molding us into the people we are meant to be. By doing so, our worth and identity are no longer tied to our achievements or the opinions of others but are rooted in our relationship with God.
As you reflect on that, remember these words – “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16
This has been your B Moment. Your moment to be still…to be fed by the Word of God…to be grateful.
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So today, put on your walking shoes!
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