There are moments in the darkness when your eyes aren’t very useful. You want to see, but the absence of light means your other senses begin to come on-line. It’s like the volume of your inner self begins to turn up, and you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings and doings.
I used to be terrified of darkness. I’m not scared anymore. I’ve grown quite fond of the predawn darkness when silence reigns.
Sometimes I imagine sitting with Jesus in the quiet. Just me and the Prince of Peace sitting, listening, having a whispered conversation over warm coffee before the birds begin to sing, and I have to work extra hard to hear God, myself, and others.
These are the sacred moments I’ve come to cherish. Because peace isn’t really rooted in calm-water situations or low blood pressure days. It runs deeper than my daily schedule or checking off all the things on my list. In my experience, it has much more to do with what’s going on in me not around me.
There was a time I thought all my peace was tied up in easy living. I thought if I could have a perfectly planned day with all the time I needed to get all the things done with everyone always being kind and considerate, then I would have it. The problem is that never happens. I can’t say there’s ever been a day in my fifty odd years when something or someone hasn’t gone awry. That’s because peace isn’t a thought, or feeling or activity I’m doing. Peace doesn’t come when everything is right with the world.
Peace is Spirit-fruit produced from doing the hard work of developing deep roots in the rocky hard soil of the world.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
I love how the Passion Translation begins this verse.
But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all it’s varied expressions:
My perspective of this verse is turned upside down when I consider the imagery. The best fruit comes from healthy plants, and healthy plants require healthy roots. And this all happens below the surface.
It’s the same for me. Spirit’s fruit develops when I become intentional about having deep conversations with the one who wants to reveal all the underground stuff within my soul. There’s nothing easy about coming face-to-face with the motivations behind what I think, do, or feel. Most of the time avoidance is my go-to because I’m afraid I’ll get stuck.
Stuck in circular overthinking, in doing to the point of exhaustion, or having long seasons of sadness. It turns out my avoidance produces rotten fruit. Fruit like impatience, idolatry, and distraction. Fruits that neither nourish my soul nor the souls of others.
I want nourishing, seed bearing fruit that speaks life into me, into others, into the world.
I want to love God and others with all my heart, mind, and strength.
Is it possible you want that too?
And if you do…
What if you changed your perspective?
What if you stopped biting your tongue in order to be patient?
What if you gave up the three-step process of developing more self-control?
What if you trusted God to lead you to what’s under the soil of your heart?
What if in all the underground mess you don’t get stuck but discover Divine Love in all it’s vaired expressions?
What if…
The beginning work of silence takes practice. I usually begin with a breath prayer taken from God’s word. This is one for beginning the deep work of root development.
(inhale)… Holy Spirit
(exhale)…Let my roots grow in you
Colossians 2:7
For more breath prayers click on the link to Breathing His Word: a prayer guide on Discover God’s Way free resource page.
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