“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NASB)
Church family, I want to take a moment to reflect on a simple, yet profound phrase that we often hear in our everyday lives: "It is what it is." You might have heard it said when things are tough, or when circumstances are out of our control. It’s a way of saying, "This is the reality, and there’s no changing it." In many ways, this saying holds an important truth for us in our journey of faith.
As we move through this year’s theme—Rooted in Virtues—we are diving into twelve virtues that reflect the character of God, virtues that should take root in our lives as we trust in Him. The virtues—love, patience, kindness, humility, compassion, forgiveness, faithfulness, joy, gentleness, peace, self-control, and gratitude—are not complicated or something we need to force. They simply are. They are the pure and holy attributes of God that are already present in us through the Holy Spirit.
The apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:22-23 that the fruit of the Spirit is exactly that—fruit. It’s not something we manufacture or add to ourselves. It is what it is. When we remain rooted in Christ, these virtues grow naturally within us, like a tree planted by the water, as Jeremiah 17:7-8 beautifully describes. They don’t need to be “forced” into our lives. They simply need to be nurtured and allowed to flow out of us as we trust in God.
The Virtues Are What They Are
The same way a tree bears fruit without struggling to do so, these virtues will manifest in our lives when we are connected to the One who is the source of all good things. We don’t have to complicate or add anything to them. They are already part of who we are in Christ. When we live in relationship with Him, the fruit of the Spirit simply is—it’s the natural outcome of our connection to Jesus.
This year, as we focus on these virtues, let us remember that we don’t need to add anything to make them more “complete.” They are fully formed in us, and through the Spirit’s work in our hearts, we can walk out each of these virtues with confidence. The peace, patience, joy, and other qualities we seek are not far away or hidden—they are here and now. They are part of our new nature in Christ.
Application for Today
- Embrace the simplicity: Don’t overthink the virtues. Trust that the Holy Spirit is at work in you, producing the fruit He desires in your life.
- Practice what’s already in you: The virtue you need is already there; all it takes is surrendering to God and letting it grow in you.
- Live authentically: Be the person God has already called you to be. The virtues are simply the reflection of who He is, and He is in you.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the simplicity and beauty of Your virtues. Help us to trust that they are already within us, and to live in the fullness of who You’ve made us to be. May we reflect Your love, kindness, humility, and all the other virtues in every aspect of our lives. Root us deeply in You, that we might bear fruit in every season. In Jesus' name, Amen.