Peace: The Original Fruit

I have this theory: of all of the spiritual fruit included in Galatians 5.22, "peace" was the first, the original, and the others followed.

Here's my thinking. in the beginning everything was "good." God says so seven times throughout the Creation days. "Good" means that everything was as it should be, as it was designed to be by God. Everything - that included Adam - was utterly dependent upon God. Before Eve, before the serpent and before sin, everything was good and therefore at peace with God.

In those days, the only thing that was not good was the lack of a suitable helper for Adam. So God took care of that. Everything was good again, food-wise, relationship-wise, work-wise... God had created the perfect, stress-free environment. There was Peace.

Peace was the original spiritual fruit. Whether I am right or not, this reflection helps me to understand myself and my struggle with stress that has been winning for a lot of years. I shared this with a small Bible study group and was encouraged that I was not alone in this struggle.

So where do I go with this? It seems like the best way to regain Peace is to get back to the original environment as much as possible. Recognizing God as the provider, becoming utterly dependent upon Him and being vigilant to guard against sin in my life. This is my 2010 life plan, and I will use this journal to do battle with the enemy and cry out to God.

Lord, help me to move Edenward. May I not hide as Adam did when he heard you walking in the Garden. Instead let your Spirit bear witness with mine that I am a child of God, and draw me nearer. Amen.