Becoming Lake People

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

“You guys have become lake people.”

My brother’s comment as Aaron and I bustled about, getting ready to pull Boaty McBoatface from the lake, was a compliment.

He knew how not “lake people” Aaron and I were when we had bought our small ski boat several summers earlier. Despite living several states away, he’d heard the stories of that first summer—of having to be towed off the water by kind strangers . . . of frantically troubleshooting electric systems with a thunderstorm prowling toward us in the distance . . . of semi-panic ensuing as we struggled to get Boaty in and out of the water at boat launches while others waited in line.

His offhand observation as he watched us work was an acknowledgment that—in his eyes—we’d moved from the category of “what were you thinking buying a boat” to “lake people.” Our actions silently revealed our growing experience, comfort level, and competence around launching and operating a ski boat.

Living a life in which our actions proclaim our faith as loudly as (or more loudly than) the words we speak is not unlike learning to become “lake people.” Proclaiming Jesus with our deeds in addition to what we say requires embodying the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23 (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control). Learning to launch a boat properly is not unlike learning to be a person of peace—to choose but one example—as both require ongoing practice, fixing of mistakes, and multiple do-overs until one day an outside observer’s comment has you realizing how far you’ve quietly come in that particular area.

Thankfully, God does not abandon us as we strive toward holy living. Being a person who responds with kindness despite being irritated or chooses gentleness instead of anger is difficult and requires continual, intentional practice. Today’s verse is a beautiful encouragement that as we intentionally grow toward God and holy living, not only are grace and peace available to us, but more and more of them.

Julie

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Pick one spiritual fruit as an intentional focus for the next twenty-one days, thanking God as you spot his provision of grace and peace, even during the challenging moments.