It’s Time to Bear Fruit

Deuteronomy 1:31 – “…and in the desert. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son (or daughter) all the way you went until you reached this place.”

Yes, 2016 was a desert experience for me, one of my most challenging years in quite a long time. But I see how the Lord carried me through this desert, some of it caused by my own selfish attitudes. And like the Good Shepherd He is, He led me to peaceful waters…green pastures where I could lie down and rest…a table where I could feed on His word…until I became strong again.

Now, through the obedience I’ve learned (and re-learned in some things) my soul is restored…it is well. After years of pruning and resting and waiting in Him…waiting on Him, He’s finally saying that the time for bearing fruit has come.

The theme He’s laid on my heart and mind, my direction for the new year 2017 is bearing fruit to God, based on Romans 7:4

“So, my brothers (and sisters), you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.”

 I’m being cautious, however. My friend Leslie wrote about fruit on Christmas trees being shiny, shallow ornaments meant to impress. But fruit on the trees and branches of our lives is meant to bring life to others, and glory, honor and praise to Jesus, like the fruit described in John 4:27-39, Galatians 5:22-23 and Ephesians 5:9. That is fruit that will last.

Apart from Him I can do nothing.

With Him…well…2017 is a clean slate on which He will write His story for my life. And I know it will be well with my soul.

“Through it all, through it all my eyes are on You. Through it all, through it all it is well…

So let go, my soul, and trust in Him. The waves and wind still know His name…

and it is well with me.”*

 *From “It Is Well” by Kristene DiMarco