My friend Diana posted the devotional below last week and I thought it was very appropriate for the season of the year (harvest) and this season in my life. (The season where I, to be honest, am very tempted to worry about things I can do little about, so instead should be focusing on using what I have to serve God.)
To my surprise, I am rather worried about current and impending events and asking myself questions I don't always have the answer to, like: What does the future hold? Frankly, it is not looking good. Most everything I see and hear gives me no cause to feel confident or secure; and: How will we get through these increasingly difficult times? That one I do have an answer for...
It's simple really--either with faith, or without it. God will provide for us according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19). That is true. How do I know? Because He has promised it in His Word (and I have seen Him do it over and over again). BUT He will not necessarily provide in the ways I expect or think that I want Him to. Instead, He will provide in His perfectly-planned, loving, and sovereign way--a way that meets my real, not necessarily my perceived, needs.
We can trust that He will work all things together for good to us who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Rom. 8:28) But that purpose is primarily a spiritual one, with eternal ramifications, and we may or may not recognize the 'good' He is working out when we are in the middle of the trial. In truth, if we have Christ, we already have all that really matters, and there is nothing else that we actually need although our perception may be otherwise. (Ooh, I tremble when I say stuff like that, because it means the test will inevitably follow, and it won't be fun.)
So the only question that really remains is: Will I trust Him, be happy in my circumstances, and offer all that He gives me (whether ease or hardship) back to Him, with thanksgiving, as my spiritual service of worship? OK, that's really about 4 questions, but you know what I mean... I hope the answer is 'Yes.' That is my plan and what I'm aiming for. In the process (read: successes AND failures), He will develop more fruit (Christlikeness) in me, and use it in the world to His praise and glory.
mjv
Sep. 10, 2008 - The purpose of fruit. . .
Some neighborhood children, who had previously requested and received permission, were gleefully picking rosy red apples off our apple tree today. We have plenty to go around, so it was merely an interesting experience to watch them, seeing how carefully they looked for the best apples. The purpose? Eating! Right then. Warm from the tree. Perfect food for a gorgeous autumn day.
As I pondered this little vista, I suddenly thought about the purpose of fruit.
Do you suppose that an apple tree bears fruit just so we can gaze at the perfectly red orbs and say, "Wow, what gorgeous fruit!"?
Or, does an apple tree find its highest purpose in producing fruit which can be picked and eaten?
Jesus cursed the fig tree that wasn't bearing fruit. . . Which gives us insight into its purpose.
I know, I know. This is SO simple. Ridiculously simple. The fruit is there, hanging on the tree, so we can pick and eat it.
Right.
Now, think about the fruit of the Spirit. He grows these increasingly mature and ripe fruits in us of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Are they there so that others can stand from afar and admire how wonderful we look?
Or are they there so that others -- including our children and spouses -- can pick and eat them as they have need?
So, for instance, when my son is being a growly bear, would there be gentleness and patience available in me for him -- to the point where it was tangible and satisfying to him?
If my daughter was pushing all of my buttons, would there be a large enough portion of self-control that she could really taste its reality?
If my life's circumstances are debilitating and hard, is there enough of the Spirit's joy in me that the rest of the family (myself included) can be encouraged and refreshed to continue to trust God's plan for our lives?
It's just a thought.
And it coincides with what Jesus said in John 15:
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."
As I pondered this little vista, I suddenly thought about the purpose of fruit.
Do you suppose that an apple tree bears fruit just so we can gaze at the perfectly red orbs and say, "Wow, what gorgeous fruit!"?
Or, does an apple tree find its highest purpose in producing fruit which can be picked and eaten?
Jesus cursed the fig tree that wasn't bearing fruit. . . Which gives us insight into its purpose.
I know, I know. This is SO simple. Ridiculously simple. The fruit is there, hanging on the tree, so we can pick and eat it.
Right.
Now, think about the fruit of the Spirit. He grows these increasingly mature and ripe fruits in us of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Are they there so that others can stand from afar and admire how wonderful we look?
Or are they there so that others -- including our children and spouses -- can pick and eat them as they have need?
So, for instance, when my son is being a growly bear, would there be gentleness and patience available in me for him -- to the point where it was tangible and satisfying to him?
If my daughter was pushing all of my buttons, would there be a large enough portion of self-control that she could really taste its reality?
If my life's circumstances are debilitating and hard, is there enough of the Spirit's joy in me that the rest of the family (myself included) can be encouraged and refreshed to continue to trust God's plan for our lives?
It's just a thought.
And it coincides with what Jesus said in John 15:
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."
Blessings,
Diana
