Sunlight seems like an offense. We mumble and grumble through our morning routine, grouching at loud noises or quick tempers. We snap for others to leave us alone until we’ve had our coffee, our Mountain Dew or whatever our stimulant of choice may be. I’ve even been guilty of calling it my morning devotional.

And then we get our caffeine and all is right with the world. Images come into focus. Our droopy countenance brightens. We have patience again. Colors seem brighter.

Or maybe that’s just me.

And even though I joke about it often, something about the simple revelation niggles at the corners of my mind.

I suppose it’s because deep down, I know that if my spirituality is based on physical stimulants, I’m not really spiritual at all. If my ability to be patient and kind with my children hinges on pouring Diet Coke down my throat, I’m not keeping in step with the Spirit of God.

Fruit of the Spirit is not based on emotion. It doesn’t come naturally. Agape love, the kind of love God tells us to filter all we do through, is an action. It’s choosing to do what is right despite my preferences, opinions or crankiness. It’s knowing that I have God’s Spirit inside me at 5 a.m. as well as 3 p.m. and choosing to let Him have his way in every interaction.

It’s easy to say, “I’d be a lot nicer to my co-worker if he would just show me the tiniest amount of respect” but that is not fruit of the Spirit. Or “If my family weren’t so dysfunctional, I could love them better.” Nope, not fruit of the Spirit either. If our ability to show the love of God hinges on any external factors, we aren’t keeping in step with His Spirit. Ouch.

Every day not surrendered to God is surrendered to the flesh by simple default. Don’t let your circumstances determine your choices. Live above. Live beyond. Live in God’s grace.

Now where is my decaf latte?