fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

A new day dawns and morning is a great time to plan our day and make a list of things we need to do. We usually begin our day anticipating all the "things" that need to be done, listing them in order of priority.
Have you ever come to the Lord with your "to do" list (the tasks we need to accomplish and the projects we need to finish). Sometimes we may not even realize what we're doing. We say "this is my list, Lord, and my schedule - please help me accomplish what I need to get done". Our attitude is one of a "to do" perspective, centered a round our own will, and it is generally works motivated.
Remember Mary and Martha? Martha had her own agenda of what she thought needed to be done; Mary sat at Jesus' feet. Martha's mode of operation was performance based; Mary's was character building . . . spending time with and being taught by the Master.
Scripture teaches us how "to be" not "to do". Our attitude needs to be one of a "to be" perspective . . . that we would be more like Jesus.
God transforms our hearts and lives as we sit at His feet; through the Holy Spirit, He illuminates Scripture and teaches us His ways. Only a life of daily communication with the Lord can reflect the distinguishing marks of both His character and His presence in our lives. As we grow in the image of Christ, we grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithful, gentleness and self-control.
Our time with the Lord shouldn't be a time of presenting him with our "to do" list and asking him to bless it. Instead, we should be asking the Lord "how do you want me to be . . . not, what do you want me to do." Spending time in His presence helps us to reflect His love, display His joy, manifest His peace, practice His patience, express His kindness, make known His goodness, reveal His faithfulness, show His gentleness, and to exhibit His self-control.
Regardless of where our day may take us or the situations we may encounter, after meeting with the Lord, we have a renewed mind to think His thoughts, to do His will, and to be more like Christ. We are prepared to face whatever the day may bring and end the day with less stress and frustration.
The Lord promises that if we seek His kingdom first, all other things will be added unto us (Matt. 6:33). Making your relationship with the Lord your top priority is assuring that you will be all that God intends you to be.

When we learn what God wants us to be, then we'll know what God wants us to do.

Carole