On these cold, damp January days in Ohio, I get most of my exercise at our mall, usually walking side by side with my husband up and down the corridors at a pretty good clip. But yesterday my schedule only allowed for me to walk alone while he was at work. As I was putting in my laps, passing meandering patrons and fellow mall-walkers, one particular couple caught my eye.
Husband and wife, probably in their 70s, came around a corner at a brisk pace, not just side by side, but arm in arm. I was amazed to witness them moving with elbows locked and perfectly in perfect step with each other! Right – left – right – left. I couldn’t take my eyes off of them as they passed. It was poetry in motion, and I now wonder if they might be dancing partners who move with graceful precision across the floor.
My first encounter with The Couple in Perfect Step happened only an hour after I had been preparing to lead a women’s Bible study session about the Fruit of the Spirit. During that evening’s class, I planned to include a verse that says “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galations 5:25) Right before my eyes was an extraordinary picture of what I imagine that can look like.
The Spirit referred to is the third part of the Holy Trinity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, who comes to reside in the person who trusts Jesus for eternal life. The fruit that this relationship produces is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. By relationship, I mean acknowledging the presence and authority of God the Holy Spirit in every area of life, and that means focusing on where He wants to lead, as well as when and how fast we are to move.
I envisioned myself with my smaller, weaker arm linked securely with his strong one, moving in perfect step through the day, trusting his lead.
With joy, I told the group of women about The Couple in Perfect Step to encourage them to link elbows with the Holy Spirit, walk in step with Him, and bear the fruit that is uniquely Christian.
