What a glorious fragrance caught on gentle breezes! What pleasure for us to enjoy while sitting on our veranda…an overabundance of jasmine blossoms.

Last spring I shared my experience while pruning the damaged jasmine vines. I could see the little blossoms hiding under the dead vines waiting to put forth their flowers for our pleasure. I shared how the pruning was a necessary discipline in order to receive this abundance of fresh blossoms this spring. And I shared how God uses this same type of “necessary” discipline on us, His children, to shape our character. After all, God wants us to “put forth” our fragrance for His pleasure.

If we yield to His discipline and pruning, just as the jasmine yielded to mine, we can only grow in abundant fruit of the Spirit–”the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” Galatians 5:22 (NIV). All of these character traits bring great pleasure, a sweet fragrance to the Lord. And they also help us become a shining light and a sweet fragrance in a dark world. The more we yield the more abundant our fruit. Just like our jasmine!!!

“and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” Ephesians 5:2 (NIV).