When I was in elementary and middle school, we would pass a fruit market as part of our daily commute. The place was called Orange Blossoms and they would grow and harvest their own oranges and fruits and vegetables. You could go in and buy gallons of freshly squeezed orange juice or lemonade. We’d go and buy two gallons a week. We would drink OJ till we were so jammed with vitamin C that we could walk in to a Doctors office and everyone would feel better as a result of the orange haze that seeped from our pores.
The last time I visited my home town, I found the old Orange Blossom warehouse empty and closed down. I had been anticipating that cup of OJ for weeks, but I would leave disappointed. I had to settle for Tropicana or some other inferior product. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll drink Tropicana – it still comes from an orange and I’ll still drink myself silly, but there was something about that fresh squeezed OJ from the Orange Blossom store.
That got me to thinking about life and the fruit that I bear. In John chapter 15, Jesus is talking to his disciples about what it looks like to be a follower of the Kingdom. He’s specifically calling these that will continue his message and mission to the world when he’s gone. What I love about this passage is that he’s calling these followers of his to not just obtain knowledge or information. He’s calling his followers to produce something that is lasting – something that will make a difference.
Joy’s grandfather was a farmer and the man tried to grow just about everything – squash, corn, potatoes, lettuce, greens, peppers, tomatoes, but the thing he was most known for was his beans. One summer, we were in NC and I was helping him harvest some of his vegetables. Papa had a way about doing things and he would tell me if you want great beans you have to keep an eye on them. Then he’d show me one of us tricks for making the beans grow so plentiful, or he’d have me use some old twine he had in his garage to tie up this plant so that it would get more water. I quickly realized that the product of Papa’s garden took a LOT in order to get it to my plate!
What I love about Jesus’ call to “bear much fruit” is that the work load is one that is for the sake of JOY. For Jesus’ disciples to be fruitful and make a difference was to be a part of the mission of joy. The way that this was going to occur was for his followers to abide in him – to make our home with HIM.
How is that going with you? How is your abiding going? How about the fruit your bearing? Is your fruit the kind that brings joy to the Father or even joy to those around you? Or is your fruit the kind that needs a little pruning? Let’s take some time this week and do a little gardening – who knows there may be a whole new level of joy that you are being called to dwell within!
Grace and Peace!
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