The Fruits of the Spirit

"Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys." Billy Graham

I've been thinking recently about this amazing mountain top Jesus has led me to. The view is absolutely amazing, breathtaking actually. I can see all that God has created - the majesty of His creation. I can so clearly see the gifts He has bestowed upon me - mainly my family, my friends, our church and of course Him. A huge part of me would love to simply praise and worship from this mountain top, never again looking back down into that valley, but that is not God's plan for me and my journey. 

Remembering that fruit grows in the valley is incredibly important for me. For so long, it felt as if there was no goodness in that valley of mental illness. I walked through the valley with my head hung low and my eyes cast down; and therefore, I could not see those beautiful fruit trees.  Galatians 5:22-23 tells us that, "the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control." I love the image of of a "love tree", a "joy tree", a"peace tree",  a "patience tree", "a kindness tree", and a "goodness tree" and a "self-control tree" standing tall in that valley. I can picture Jesus and I walking together, slowly gathering the fruits of those trees. At the time my eyes were so clouded, I could not see the fruits my Savior was plucking from each tree and placing in my basket, but He didn't care that I was not noticing for He was working simply out of love.  

As we reached the bottom of the mountain we began to meander up the side. Many days it felt as if we were taking one step forward, two steps back. The burden often felt just too much to bear, but then I could hear Jesus saying, "take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul" (Matthew 11:29) and so I trusted Him, obeyed Him and followed Him. The higher we climbed the lighter my load felt, the heaviness of my eyes began to fade and I could see more and more clearer. And eventually we reached the top of the mountain. 

Reaching that mountain top has allowed me to see firsthand the beautiful fruits that we gathered in the valley. Now I can feel them alive within me, for the Holy Spirit is alive within me.  Looking down I can now see those glorious trees, which is why I can honestly say the walk through the valley was completely worth it. 

Looking back, I can see the growth, the knowledge, the gifts of that valley- I can now see what God saw before the journey even began! And that is what makes every painful step a blessing.