You can’t trust Mondays. It’s cold, rainy, dark and dreary on this not-so-fine November morning. The only inspiration you’re likely to get on a day like this is to hit the snooze button and call in sick. But most of you are like me; you drag your butt outta bed and start your day anyway. You don’t have to like it; you just do what you have to do because that’s what you do.
So here I sit at my desk – trying to find enough motivation to get started on the day’s work. Joy. The only problem is, there’s a vague and pesky thought bouncing around in my brain; yesterday’s inspiration trying to resurface. I try to push it down; I’m in no mood for epiphanies, just get me through this day. But like the sound of a baby laughing when you’re in a bad mood, the thought won’t be denied.
It was a simple thought really. I was reminded of what Jesus said about folks in Matthew 7:20, “Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” Seems simple enough. Then I connected it with another verse, Galatians 5:22, “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Ah, there lies the rub. If I’m going to be identified as a follower of Jesus, be known as a disciple, a person who says he finds his new life in God, then you will know me by my fruit, by my actions. Love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Ouch! Not much room for doubt there. As I see it, I really only have two choices here: bear fruit, or hide my nakedness.
You see why I didn’t want to explore this “truth” on a Monday? Cause the “fruit of the Spirt” leaves no place for Mondays. Cold, rainy, dark and dreary Monday’s are not to be considered. David had the nerve to sing about Mondays, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
I guess there’s no help for it The way we should deal with Mondays, or any day for that matter, is to remember what Jesus said, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. But apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Whew. That’s not so bad. I release my frustration and breathe deeply of the Lord’s love for me, his comfort, peace, and presence. You can’t fake that and no one can argue that outta my hands. Even Mondays are powerless – so don’t trust em. Trust this instead…
Romans 8:38-39 “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”