Living Out Salvation - Illustration

Imagine a community garden, a patch of earth lovingly tended by neighbors who come together every week. Each person brings their unique seed—perhaps tomatoes, cucumbers, or herbs—each with a different purpose but all sharing the same soil. As the plants grow, they intertwine and support one another, creating a vibrant tapestry of life. This garden is a beautiful representation of agape, the selfless love we are called to embody as followers of Christ.

In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Each fruit is a seed planted in our hearts at the moment of salvation, meant to grow and flourish in the community of faith. Just as the garden flourishes only when nurtured, so too does our spiritual growth depend on our active participation in loving service to one another.

Consider how you can contribute to our church garden this week. Maybe it’s volunteering to help a single parent with grocery shopping, or perhaps it’s simply reaching out to a neighbor who’s been isolated. When we serve, we allow the Spirit to cultivate joy and compassion in our lives and the lives of those around us.

Let your love be the sunlight that helps others thrive. Your purpose isn’t just to grow individually, but to blossom together, bringing beauty and nourishment to our community. In doing so, you embody the very essence of salvation, allowing the fruits of the Spirit to transform not only your life but the lives of those around you.