Bearing Fruit
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“For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 2 Peter 1:8 (NIV)
There's something wonderful about walking through a garden that has been lovingly tended.
The soil has been prepared, the seeds have been planted, the weeds have been pulled, and now something beautiful is beginning to grow.
But here's something every gardener understands.
Not everything grows at the same pace.
Some plants stand tall and strong, bursting with blossoms. Others are still small, barely showing signs of what they will become. And occasionally, despite our best efforts, something comes along and nibbles away at what we've worked so hard to grow!
Isn't that a picture of our lives?
We all experience different seasons of growth.
Sometimes our faith feels strong and flourishing. Other times we're struggling to persevere, learning to trust, or simply trying to keep our eyes on Jesus.
And sometimes life comes along and takes a bite out of us!
But here's what I love about our heavenly Gardener.
He doesn't measure our growth by comparing us to someone else's garden.
He knows exactly where we are, what we've been through, and what we need to continue growing.
In 2 Peter 1:5–7, Peter describes the beautiful qualities God desires to cultivate within us: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love.
These aren't decorations we hang on our spiritual lives to make ourselves look like good Christians.
They are qualities that increasingly become evident as we grow in our relationship with Jesus.
And isn't that the whole purpose of tending a garden?
Not simply to have beautiful soil, perfectly arranged tools, or a garden free of weeds.
We cultivate the garden because we desire something good to grow.
Jesus tells us in John 15:5:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Notice what Jesus doesn't say.
He doesn't tell us to struggle harder to manufacture fruit. He tells us to remain in Him.
The branch doesn't produce fruit by trying to be a better branch. It bears fruit because it remains connected to the vine.
And the same is true for us.
As we spend time getting to know Jesus, learning His ways, trusting His promises, and allowing His Spirit to work within us, something wonderful begins to happen.
We start responding with patience where we once reacted in frustration.
We begin extending kindness where we might once have held a grudge.
We discover perseverance in seasons when giving up would have been easier.
And slowly, sometimes so gradually that we hardly notice, our lives begin to reflect more of Jesus.
Galatians 5:22–23 reminds us of the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
What a beautiful harvest!
But there's something else worth remembering.
Fruit isn't produced simply to be admired. It's meant to nourish and bless others.
The love God grows in us becomes love we extend to our families, neighbors, friends, and even those who are difficult to love.
The patience He develops in us becomes patience offered to someone who needs grace.
The comfort we receive from Him becomes comfort we can share with someone who is hurting.
Our lives become a reflection of the Gardener Himself.
And isn't that what we really want?
Not for people to look at our lives and say, "What a wonderful gardener!"
But rather, "What a wonderful God!"
So whether you're standing tall in a season of flourishing or feeling like a little sunflower still waiting to bloom, don't lose heart.
Keep turning toward the Light.
Keep remaining close to the Vine.
Keep trusting the Gardener.
Because He isn't finished with you yet.
And remember, the beauty of a fruitful life isn't found in how much we accomplish for Jesus, but in how much of Jesus is becoming evident in us.
Christine