In Matthew 7:19 – 20, the Bible says, “Every tree that does not bear fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” It also goes on to say, “That we are known by our fruits.” In other words, you can always tell what kind of a person someone is by the kind of fruit they produce. In this manner, “fruit” represents the way a person chooses to live his or her life; whether they choose do good or evil and whether they choose to live a self-centered life or a Christ-centered life determines their direction.
Whether you realize it or not, everyday you are producing some kind of fruit based on the choices you make. Pay close attention to what kind of crop, or “fruit” you are producing in the garden of your life. The question to ask yourself is, “how would my fruit taste?” Would it be bitter, unripe, or foul? Or would it instead be crisp, refreshing, and enjoyable? I like to think of myself as one of God’s apple trees and the kind of apples I produce will be based on how I choose to live my life.
You are called to produce a unique kind of fruit that only you can produce based on your gifts and talents, as well as the personality and life experiences God gave you.
In other words, if someone were to bite into the fruit you produce, which is your life, would it nourish or satiate them in some way — would it bring a smile to their face?” Or would it be a mealy piece of fruit that tastes disgusting? Would people find worms in it or the residue of some toxic pesticides all over it? Would someone spew you out of their mouth and exclaim, “yuck! This is a horrible piece of fruit?”
My heart’s desire is to produce delicious apples so that hungry people can come from miles around and get fed. If I accomplish this mission, the word will spread like wild fire and people will come from miles around exclaiming, “Hey that tree over there bears wonderful apples; you should go and get yourself one, it will really fill you up.”
Ultimately, we are all God’s servants and our job is to feed the starving people of the world with the fruit God gave to us. You are called to produce a unique kind of fruit that only you can produce based on your gifts and talents, as well as the personality and life experiences God gave you.
This is accomplished by how you reproduce what’s been given to you to feed others with. Sometimes it helps me to think of myself as a farmer who is spreading quality fertilizer and irrigating dry crops with much needed water. I try desperately to spread seeds of love, life, hope, affirmation and encouragement. I do this in hopes of someday reaping a great and bountiful harvest of people that I have positively impacted in someway.
©Copyright 2016, Zoro The Drummer, All rights reserved
Has one comment to “Bearing Good Fruit”
We all have many challenges in our life. The outside cover of us (just like a book cover) certainly doesn’t show the depths within us. It’s funny, I remember moving to London on my own at 17 years of age, I started working at a place and my work colleague said: “I don’t know how to take you Dave.” I said “what do you mean?” He said “because you are so nice, it’s like you want something.” I thought how sad is that! Just because you’re a nice person and willing to help – that’s the impression some people have. Very sad! It was a big eye opener for a 17 year old who grew up in a respectful family. We all need encouragement from time to time.