Love and Joy: The Foundation

​Read: Galatians 5:22-23 & 1 Corinthians 13:4-8    
 
            We have started our journey into "The Fruit of the Spirit: Living an Intentional Faith." Last week, we focused on the Triune God and saw that our lives are meant to be lived with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, not alone. We learned that intentional faith means making space for God in the everyday, sometimes messy parts of our week. Now, as we begin the second week of this series, we shift from understanding who God is to looking at the first fruits Paul lists in Galatians: Love and Joy. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul gives us a list of virtues that show what a Spirit-led life looks like. Love is listed first for a reason. In God's Kingdom, love is not simply a feeling or passing thought; it is the foundation for everything else. To exist intentionally, we need to see that love is the ground where all other spiritual fruit grows, and joy is the environment that helps that love thrive.
 
            When we hear 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, it often comes up at weddings or anniversaries, where it sounds gentle and sentimental. But in our daily lives, these verses are actually a bold appeal to live differently. Paul shows us that love is about actions, not just feelings. Love is patient and kind. It does not brag or get easily annoyed. Paul also says love "keeps no record of wrongs." In a world where we track everything, even our hurts and disappointments, choosing not to keep score is a powerful act of faith. Living intentionally means letting go of the mental lists we keep about others. It means bearing, believing, and hoping, even when it would be easier to give up or protect ourselves. Love is the greatest fruit because it asks us to put others first every day. It stands for truth, not just what is easy, and it lasts even when quitting seems like the better choice. This is what helps us grow: remaining dedicated to others' well-being, knowing that God loved us first and does not keep score against us.
 
            If love is the foundation, then joy is the environment wherein love grows and matures. We often mix up joy and happiness, but happiness depends on our circumstances and can come and go quickly. Joy, on the other hand, is a fruit of the Spirit and comes from being connected to God, not from having an easy or perfect day. In our busy and stressful world, joy can seem like a luxury, something we only get if life is going well. But for someone living with intentional faith, joy is essential. It helps balance out the stress and worries we face each week. Joy is the steady belief that, even when life is hard, we are connected to something eternal. If love is how we treat others, joy is the gladness we carry inside as we do it. It gives us the strength to be patient and kind, even when it's difficult. Joy is what makes it possible to keep loving others, even when it feels heavy.
 
            So how do we take these ideas from Scripture and put them into practice in our daily lives? How do we make Love and Joy real and visible in a Spirit-led life? It starts by letting go of the wrongs we hold against others. This week, I encourage you to think of one person or one hurt you are still holding onto. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you let it go for good. You do not have to agree with what happened or excuse it, but for your own growth, you need to let it go. Holding onto past wrongs is like carrying heavy weights while trying to run—you cannot experience freedom while holding onto bitterness. Next, check the atmosphere around you. Are you surrounded by complaining or by joy? Being intentional starts with the words we use. This week, try to swap one complaint at work or home for a conversation about gratitude. It might feel strange at first, but that is how growth begins. Growth is rarely easy, but it is always important. Finally, stay connected to the Source. Remember from last week: you cannot grow this fruit on your own. If you feel your love fading or your joy slipping away, you are not failing—you are just disconnected from God. Pause, take a breath, and invite the Spirit to help you. Remind yourself that you are not working for God's approval, but working with Him, letting His life flow through you.
 
            Love and Joy are not just for the "spiritual elite" or people who seem to have everything together. They are meant for everyone, no matter what your life looks like. As you go through this week, I hope your love is patient, your joy is steady, and your life shows the Spirit at work in you. When you love people who are hard to love and keep your joy during tough times, you show others that there is a different way to live—one that is based on what lasts forever, not just what is happening now. This is what intentional faith is all about: letting God's love and joy shape us so much that others notice. Let's choose to live this way, not only for ourselves, but for a world that needs to see real examples of the Spirit's fruit. As we continue this series, look for these fruits in everyday life. They are growing in ordinary places, ready for us to care for them with the grace we've received. I pray this week brings a bountiful harvest in your heart and in the lives of those around you.