“…by their fruit you will recognize them.”
If you spent more than a little time in Sunday school as a child you probably recited the fruits of the spirit.
You might have even made a craft, or your kids have, hung on the fridge as proof they are hopefully learning a lesson or two. Lord knows I’ve failed at teaching mine as much as I should have.
This morning I sat down for some quiet time that usually seems to elude my schedule. I’m not in a current bible study and didn’t want to read any of the three books on my nightstand, so I just sat. I sat and watched the rain come down outside. In our back yard sits an apple tree that is on the struggle bus. I got it for Hubs on our first anniversary to symbolize paper, the traditional one year anniversary gift. Only we have been so busy watering and caring for our actual relationship and family that we’ve forgotten to care for the poor little apple tree.
I sat looking at the sticks that are hoping to grow apples and the question popped into my head,
“What fruit will you produce today?”.
Yikes.
“What fruit will you be recognized by?”
Ouch. Stop it already.
Today I would be caught with rotten bananas, like the brown ones in my freezer waiting to be used for banana bread. Why couldn’t you have caught me on a good day? I have a couple of those on leap years.
Spiritual fruit cannot grow with an ego in the middle of it.
Someone wiser than I came up with the acronym for Ego = Edging God Out
Which is exactly what it does, it convinces us that we are most important, we deserve this, we earned it, our feelings matter most. Our egos come in, edge the Divine out, and get our order of priorities all jacked up.
Self? Let me check the list….Yes! You go up here at the top, naturally. Like the star on the Christmas tree. Look at you shine sister.
Others? What have you done for me lately? Hmmmm… Go ahead and head down, third from the bottom rung.
Children? Y’all are still here? Good grief, haven’t we raised you already? Get close to the top, I’ll put you on my shoulders and let you hold my star.
God? Stick close in case I have a prayer will ya? Thanks so much. Also, could you stand where I bask in your glow? It’s all about the lighting you know. Did you hear me quote your bible verse from memory earlier? How about that huh?
Bless.
Here’s the thing about our Ego. It edges God out, but it also edges GROWTH out. A fruit cannot grow with an ego in the middle of it. Want to grow some fruit? Dump the ego.
Don’t know where to start? Throw out the “should haves” when it pertains to others, no one owes you anything. A fact I continue to learn daily. We were not promised a life without bad times. We weren’t promised a Leave it to Beaver family, or a support system that looks like the traditional one in our mind. No one comes to earth and escapes alive, or lives a life without sorrow. Find your joy. Even the worst of days has some joy tucked in the seams, even if it’s just a perfectly timed cup of caffeine. Recognize and identify what makes your heart lighter.
Want to know some of what we ARE promised?
One who will fight for you…. Exodus 14:14. Renewed strength …Isaiah 40. A companion in fearful moments…Isaiah 41. Unfailing love….Isaiah 54. Freedom….Isaiah 58. Wisdom. Forgiveness. Eternal life. Comfort. Refuge. Deliverance. Peace that transcends all understanding…and so much more.
Peace comes from remembering that only love is real. Look past the surface and see the underlying truth…everyone is a child of God and filled with love. It may be hidden behind our egos, but it was put there. Love is there. Look for the light within you and others. Guess what water and light do? They grow things…like fruit!
If you feel like our apple tree, take hope that God is in the business of growing. He delights in gardening, ask for help in developing your orchard. May we be recognized by our sweet fruit.