Kitty Williams, Director of Music Ministries
The theme verse for Pure Joy! Youth Choir this year is Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the spirit!
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against such things.
This verse is part of a chapter that describes living “by the spirit.”
Those living by the spirit will reflect not only one, but all the fruit of the spirit described in this verse.
“Woah!” one may say. “That’s a lot of work.”
Our focus is not making sure we ‘do’ all the fruit. As Christians, our single focus is following the Holy Spirit.
Basically, our job is to trust in God through Christ by the Holy Spirit. God’s work handles the rest (the fruit in us.)
John 29:28-29 best describes it:
Then they said to him (Jesus), “What must we do to perform the works of God?”
Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
One of the songs the youth are learning is called True North, by a worship band from Northern Ireland band called Rend Collective.
Here are the abbreviated lyrics:
Oh, You are my true north
I will follow You into the dark.
I will follow You with all my heart.
I will not let the darkness steal the joy within my soul
I will not let my circumstance become my compass, no
I will not let the fears of life and sorrows of this world
Dictate to me how I should feel
For You are my true north.
I will not let my failures turn into the curse of shame
I will not walk beneath the clouds that taunt me and condemn
For I will stand on solid ground the shadow of Your love
Forgiven, changed, a heart renamed
For You are my true north, everybody sing
Oh, You are my true north.
I will follow You into the dark.
I will follow You with all my heart.
One of the students asked, “What is ‘true north,”
I gave a brief definition. But the question caused me to look it up! (Thank you, Google.)
There is the ‘magnetic’ north and the ‘true’ north. (How scientists figure this out is another discussion.)
This is what I learned:
- The magnetic field of the earth changes. Therefore, if you only use a compass, you can be misled and get lost on the way to your destination.
- To reach your desired destination, use the compass plus a ‘magnetic declination’ equation for the location (latitude.)
So how does this relate?
Basically, representing the ‘magnetic field’ – our emotions, world attitudes, cultural norms, religious rules and other voices can dictate our action. Following those guidelines, we miss the mark.
However, by seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit, our ‘magnetic declination,’ God’s kingdom can come on earth as it is in heaven.
The decision to follow the Holy Spirit is not a ‘one and done’ thing.
Trusting and believing is daily work, a daily decision.
“I will trust God today.”
The purpose of church community is to support each other in our daily decision of not what to do, but who to follow.
Miracles like Running 4 Clean Water, Good Samaritans of Garland, GLOWS (Garland Overnight Warming Shelter) and the support of knowing that you are loved will emerge.
Individuals and the church will bear fruit!
First Reflections 