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| Michigan Central Station, in Corktown, Detroit |
The biblical fruit of the Spirit flourishes in every connected Jesus-follower, no matter what the circumstances. As do the Big Three of faith, hope, and love.
It's like the difference between a thermometer and a thermostat. A thermometer reacts to the environment, going up and down, contingent on the temperature. But with a thermostat we set the environment. A person who is like a thermostat sets the spiritual environment to God's Kingdom. We do this as we abide in Christ, like a branch connected to Jesus the Vine.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
8 whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Howard Thurman writes:
"The prophet Jeremiah pictures the man who depends on God, who has God for his confidence, as a tree planted beside a stream sending his roots down to the water. He has no fear of scorching heat, his leaves are always green. He goes on bearing fruit when all around him is barren and serene. In other words such a man looks out on life with quiet eyes." (40-Day Journey With Howard Thurman, 24)
As we maintain our God-connectness we "live serene," and view life through "quiet eyes."
