Fruits of the Spirit: Joy

Fruits of the Spirit — a Dock Line poetry series reflecting on Galatians 5:22–23. Part 2 of 9.

In this series, each poem listens for how love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control show up in ordinary life—with the Lord interrupting hurry, worry, and noise to speak a quieter word.

I was busy pondering on all the delays in my life

When the Lord showed up

And snapped me right out of my thoughts

And asked if I would like to think differently

And turn my eyes up toward the sky

He said to me, “joy is found in your every breath

You can choose to breathe freely and with ease

Or you can breathe with a labor behind every inhale

You can choose to keep your breath steady

Or let it run wild inside your chest

Causing even your heart to wake up

And wonder if your body is safe with each passing beat

Your mind begins to race alongside your every gasp

And ponder, ‘body, why are we anxious? Why are we running?’

Joy comes in alongside the lungs, the heart, the mind

And slows down the race, slows down the chaos

Joy carries the vessel of hope that keeps us going

And it is found with every rhythmic exhale”

Explore the series: Love · Joy · Peace · Patience · Kindness · Goodness · Faithfulness · Gentleness · Self-Control

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” — Galatians 5:22–23