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Often we find ourselves caught up in the day-to-day activities. Sometimes just getting something to eat is a chore. It is a busy world we live in. Many things to occupy ourselves. We have many ministries, yet are they worthwhile? Do we spend time with hobbies and people and yet feel hollow afterward? Are we unfulfilled? Perhaps, the answer is in the fruit. What fruit comes from the event, activity, hanging around with that person, etc? Where is the fruit?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another.” — Galatians 5:22-26

Is there something empty in what you are doing? Maybe not, but this is the test. It is where we can go to check our heart, our minds, our souls. Asking ourselves, is there love in this? (Love is not the same as lust, either.) Is there joy? Peace? Long suffering, or patience? Are you gaining or exhibiting gentleness and goodness? Does it help or hinder faith? Does it produce meekness? What about temperance also known as self-control? This is how we can check.

God does not want us to feel like we are just spinning our wheels. We are to be producing fruit. The scriptures tell us when we walk in righteousness (having accepted Him in our hearts, seeking Christ, loving Him and seeking to obey His Word), we shall produce good things for God. “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” — Psalms 1:3. This concept even goes back to Genesis with the original mandate to “be fruitful and multiply.”

The Lord Jesus Christ came to atone for our sins, our disobedience to God. He offered himself to pay the price for that sin and disobedience. He tells us to repent, and go and sin no more. We are not perfect, we are going to have moments where we fail, but we need to then move on in grace. Breaking cycles of sin is not always easy, but we can do it with the help of Christ. The fruit of the Spirit is our measure on how we should be walking in obedience to the Lord.

Hollow moments, hollow actions, hollow words, and hollow activities lead to hollow people. The only one great enough to fill all that hollowness is Jesus. It does not matter what yesterday looked like, we can walk forward in that grace today. Stand strong because that word comes with a promise in “his leaf also shall not wither.” The Lord will sustain us, uplift us and help us to continue in this life and the quest to be fruitful. Which is continued with “and whatever he does shall prosper.” We have so many opportunities. We have so much. Sometimes we forget the blessings and the “fruit” before us.

Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control are incredible fruit. They multiply quite readily, and will begin to spread out into others too. When we walk in the fruit of the Spirit, it becomes contagious. Others will get into it too. As we continue, it will increase our faith as well. God will show you things, blessings and promises. Not every day will be perfect. Not every day will be free of pain, but it certainly will not be hollow.

Where are you in producing good fruit, the fruit of the Spirit for the Lord? Maybe you need to clear away the fields of your heart first? Maybe you need to cut down the weeds of discord and the brambles of brokenness? Maybe you just need a little more Son light? The Lord Jesus Christ loves you and cherishes you. Let the Master Gardener work in the garden of your heart today. You will not be disappointed and certainly will not be hollow!

There is hope of and in Christ. There is love which liberates and leads us. May the Lord bless you and keep you so you may live a fruitful life of Grace Out Loud!