Sermon - 5-23-21

<p>We <u>have</u> the first fruits of the Spirit</p> <p>The days are getting longer, the sun rises early with birds chirping, singing a sweet melody into a new day</p> <p>The powerful energy of the sun warms the earth, opening the leaves of the trees and the petals of the flowers, bringing forth abundant new life and growth</p> <p>When we step outside we feel the strength of the ultraviolet rays on our cheeks and bare arms as warmth spreads across our skin</p> <p>Warmth that cannot be manufactured by heating systems, sweaters or down blankets</p> <p>Warmth that is only available from the sun</p> <p>The sunlight remains in the sky for hours and hours, until well past 9 PM, offering us many opportunities to see, feel and enjoy its beauty.</p> <p>These long days and warm sun are bringing forth the first fruits of the year. </p> <p>I look forward to my first fresh strawberry</p> <p>I imagine going to the strawberry farm with my baskets early in the morning</p> <p>Bending and crouching my body to kneel in the neat rows,</p> <p>Smelling the straw laid on the ground</p> <p>Feeling the early sun warm my back, neck and shoulders</p> <p>As I peel back the large green leaves of the plant, and pluck my first fresh, bright red strawberry of the season. </p> <p>The first fruit of the year, the first fresh strawberry lands in my mouth</p> <p>warmed from the late spring sun and plucked straight from the new growth of the plant</p> <p>It feels a bit gritty and rough on my tongue at first </p> <p>My mouth begins to water as I anticipate this sweet, juicy first fruit of the year.</p> <p>And I take a bite</p> <p>We <u>have</u> the first fruits of the Spirit</p> <p>The first, warm, sweet strawberry is resting in our mouth</p> <p>Waiting for us to bite down and release its juicy goodness</p> <p>But it sometimes seems like we don't recognize it</p> <p>Do we know it's there?</p> <p>We have the first fruits of the Spirit</p> <p>And yet we're groaning in labor pains</p> <p>Groaning inwardly and outwardly</p> <p>Our attention and energy co