It’s so easy to live by the law, God;
just tick the commandments off on a list,
and silence the whisper of conscience with a legal score card;
no mess, no fuss,
no people, no relationships, no confusing circumstances
to consider.
But, that’s not what you call me to, is it?
you ask of me a much simpler, more complicated thing,
the nurturing of fruit that brings life and love,
the freedom – and the constraints – of character-building,
of people blessing, of holiness finding.
As I grow closer to you, Jesus, may I also become more like you,
may the fruit of your Spirit begin to grow in me,
and may I know, and share, the abundant life it brings.
Amen.