Over the course of the last few weeks, the attention of those in my parish has been drawn repeatedly to core identity markers for Christians. Every follower of Jesus bears in his or her being these identity marks.  I say we “bear them” because to whole-heartedly follow Christ is to let loose the will of Christ within you. The markers of His identity follow.

On Sunday, August 1, one was plainly before us:  are you humble enough to not merely allow, but to desire, that God would plant into you the seeds of identity that will in turn produce fruit of the Spirit?  (Galatians 5: 22-23) We come to know, experience and give to others things such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control because we allowed God to plant into our being His presence. It is God within us and us cooperating and desiring God to be at work to shape us into the likeness of Jesus. With each embrace of his prompting, the seed grows. With each humble, “Yes,” the way of life in God grows. With each act of devotion, we bear the fruit of the Spirit of God within us.

The Book of Common Prayer Lectionary reading for today from Acts 3:1-10 demonstrates this so well– nearly matter-of-fact.  Because Peter and John walk in the way of expectant faith and humble confidence in God’s power, they are able to pray simply for the healing of a crippled man! Peter even pulls him to his feet so the man may be fully aware that he was just healed.  The people are astonished that such a miracle happened. Peter and John seem more surprised that the people would not expect this of God! And so the passage ends with a formerly crippled man leaping and dancing and praising God through the Temple gate called, Beautiful.  Indeed, how beautiful are the feet of him who brings good news!

How expectant is your faith right now? How humbly do you trust in God’s power to do what only he can do, even to the amazement of those who already believe in him? Today, may God grant to you an increased measure of faith. May you know the wonder of the joy of faithfulness fulfilled!

Until next time, may God richly bless you,