Today’s Thought
The greatest testimony of your marriage is not what you say, but the fruit your lives produce every day.
Scripture
Galatians 5:22-23 – ” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Devotional
When a tree reaches maturity, it begins to produce leaves and fruit. The leaves make the tree beautiful. They show that the tree is healthy and alive. The fruit is even more important because it provides nourishment for others.
A healthy marriage is like that
As your relationship grows, people begin to see the “fruit” of your marriage. They notice the way you speak to each other, how you solve problems, how you show respect, and how you love one another. Your marriage becomes a living testimony of God’s work in your lives.
Not every tree produces the same fruit. An apple tree does not try to grow oranges, and an orange tree does not compete with a pear tree. Each tree produces the fruit it was created to bear.
God has given every couple unique gifts, personalities, and a purpose. Some couples are gifted in hospitality. Others encourage people through their wisdom. Some have a heart for serving, while others invest deeply in mentoring younger couples.
Your marriage does not have to look like anyone else’s. God asks you to be faithful with what He has entrusted to you.
Leaves also remind us of the people who become part of our lives. Friendships come and go. Some people stay with us for many years, while others are only part of our lives for a season. Sometimes we experience the pain of saying goodbye because people move away or pass into eternity.
Just as trees lose their leaves during autumn, we also experience seasons of loss. But the loss of leaves does not mean the tree is dying. It is preparing for a new season. There are seasons of great joy and seasons of sorrow. Seasons when your marriage feels full of fruit, and seasons when life feels difficult and exhausting.
Do not lose heart. If your roots remain in Christ, new fruit will come in God’s perfect time.
Stay rooted in Him, and He will continue His work in your marriage.
Question to think and talk about
What fruit do we hope other people experience when they spend time with us as a couple?
Challenge
Choose one fruit of the Spirit that you both want to grow in this week. Encourage one another and intentionally practise that quality every day.
Pray together
Heavenly Father, we desire that our marriage would reflect Your character. Fill our hearts with the fruit of Your Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Help us to encourage one another to become more like Christ each day. May everyone who meets us experience Your love through the way we speak, serve, forgive, and care for one another. Let our marriage bear fruit that brings honour to Your name. Amen