It is exam season, and what seems to be at the order of the day is repetition. looking at the same question from different angles. Consuming the same information in different contexts to solidify it in your mind… to build those neuropaths!
There has been a theme rolling up over the last weeks that has also been repeating in one form or another, so this weekend it really rolled around in my mind as I was applying myself to studies as well (and frequently questioning myself, Why am I doing this?!)
You may have noticed that I frequently refer to our calling and our purpose in life, and the question that pops up is “Why?” Why would I have a purpose? All-knowing, All-powerful God can do whatever I can do, faster, better and perfect… why need me?
(Oddly, while believers ask “why” they have a purpose, one of the key questions of unbelievers as “what” is my purpose, my reason for existing?)
But before I get sidetracked… My friend Christopher supplied the lightbulb moment:
You might have seen the Christian “Friendship Tattoo”? The people dropping their friend through the roof to Jesus (Mark 2) – It speaks of the importance of the friends you surround yourself with… but there is something else
Have you heard the story of the Israelites fighting the Amalekites? Moses stood on the mountain, holding his arms up to heaven. As long as it was up, they were winning the battle. If he dropped his arms, the Amalekites were winning. So brother Aaron and Brother-in-law Hur put him on a rock and held his arms up for him… and the Israelites prevailed and won the battle… Moses was obedient, and pressed on, but there is something else
Have you heard the reference of the person who is like a tree by the water?
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
(Jeremiah 17:7-8)
It is an image of protection, shelter and support. The tree is fed by God (the stream) and it grows strong and tall, Green and lush… but there is something else
Jesus Himself explained this in Matthew 7, when he said: ”By their fruit you will recognize them.” In His example he speaks about bearing good fruit and it is how we know we have a good tree. The core is right, the tree is healthy and sustained. In every example, the character of a person shows up. The Friends, the family and the person. Each example shows a person or persons that bears good fruit.
but there is something else…
Good fruit is good fruit. It is the result of a good tree, a strong tree. One that can give shelter, that can protect. But the fruit… the fruit is not FOR the tree.
Wait… hold up!
The Fruit of the Spirit, the Fruit by which Jesus says we will be known, those Fruits.. is not for you… The Fruit is others…
The good fruit. The great fruit, really just benefits others. Talk about your purpose and your calling… Looking from that perspective, it answers a lot of “Why?” questions!
Now if I may quote myself from a few weeks ago:
By my fruits, they will know me…
“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.”
(Galatians 5:22-23)
Joy that overflows,
Peace that subdues,
Patience that endures,
Kindness in action,
A life full of Virtue,
Faith that prevails,
Gentleness of heart,
…and Strength of Spirit.
…they are meant to be limitless… and given out without limit…
Something else to think about: Sometimes the tree gives shelter, and sometimes the tree feeds with its fruit.
But sometimes it provides the seed to start a whole new grove of trees!
