The concept of fruit is a comment thread throughout scripture. Bishop Robert Schnase writes, "Vines, branches, seeds, vineyards, soils, farmers, fig trees, harvests, sowers, weeds, roots. Fruitfulness provides a metaphor of many profound aspects of the spiritual life and ministry. Jesus used fruitfulness to draw our attention to the impact, the consequences, the results of our life in Christ and our ministry for Christ." (from Remember the Future)
Throughout ordination, my residency class was asked collectively and individually, "Will you bear much fruit?" What does this mean? A holy bumper crop? A consistent flow of produce (or productivity)?
Will we? Do we? Ponder the fruit tree.
What if the planted peach tree in your yard bears enough one year to make 12 jars of luscious peach jam but not even enough for one the next. And what if the only fruit we ever tasted was peach? I like peaches - really! Might even be a favorite. But sometimes you just need a blackberry.
If fruit is the impact of our life in Christ into the world shouldn't we produce much fruit? Ever increasing fruit? A variety of fruits to meet the needs of as many as possible?
We are not to be one time producers. To bear much fruit means just that. We bear and bear and bear; season after season. Just like the real fruit bearers, trees, we may have a slow season when the other trees much provide but with a small rest and refertilization - we bear again.
We are also not to be a one fruit wonder. Bearing much fruit means we use all the gifts from God at our disposal to reach out and offer fruit to a hurting world wherever that fruit is needed. (everywhere, anywhere, there is need fro fruit in all places)
Most importantly, our orchard should be ever increasing. While real orchards may be limited by land, resources and manpower. God's fruit producing orchards are limitless. Made limitless by the power of God. We fruit bearers carry within us a seed; a seed of faith made powerful by the Holy Spirit. We are not limited by our human frailties, our restricted and restrained resources or the confines of territorial fences. this earthly Kingdom is God's and he has given it to us to make disciples of all nations.
Our strength is His strength and the tools, seeds, the nutrients to the soil and water for growth are all from His toolshed.
We are asked to one thing and one thing only. Do the work. DO it with out hesitation; without reservation. We are to step out, sweat and try. We are to go bigger - farther - do more. Christ said it best. We are to try new ideas. Go to new places.
All we are asked to do is to do! We are told NOT to hold on to what we do and where we are. Not hold back when the work seems too hard - too much. Just go and do! There is no room for selfishness, timidity or restraint!
It is however the hardest move we will ever make because it requires us to believe what we say we believe. That God is God and His will WILL be done.
Do you? Will you? I will!
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