Bear fruit, just don’t let it be too fruity - April 28

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 26, 28; PM Psalm 36, 39; Exod. 19:1–16; Col. 1:1–14; Matt. 3:7–12

The image of a fruit tree is often used to describe the Christian life. We are encouraged to care for ourselves, to have faith, and if we do, our lives will produce fruit. It is a lovely image that touches on how our faith can both be generative and impact other lives. It is especially poignant in spring when flowers are budding after a long winter or when we hunger for a fresh fruit that is in season from the farmers’ market or local vendor.

But the Gospel has a spin this day and it isn’t very fruity: we are to bear fruit worthy of repentance. Essentially, our lives are to be formed in a way where we have the capacity to turn around, to ask for forgiveness, to apologize, to know that we are not yet our best selves. From this passage in Matthew, this is the fruit we are to bear. Think of all the things we lift up as humans: our ability to be strong, wise, determined, visionary, athletic, amongst many other things. But how often do we lift up humility? What if humility was the most important of all Christian virtues?

One thing I have noticed over the past few weeks is mistakes flow much more frequently when stress is high. In my own life, attempting to home school children, all while writing, planning, editing, responding to emails, and. making pastoral phone and zoom calls has been a challenge and some mistakes have been made. An email or two might have been missed, tempers have flared a few times when patience has been lost, and my best work has not always risen to the top. Are you finding some of the same challenges?

I even wonder if it is at all responsible to expect our best during times of intense stress and challenge? Maybe humility is the only response we can offer that helps us grow. We are all being humbled, but what if this is precisely necessary to move our lives from depending on the strength of our egos to the grace of God? Be gentle with yourselves. It is ok to not be perfect.

- John+

Questions for Self-Reflection

  • Where have you made mistakes in this past week? How have those mistakes added challenge to your life? Would you have made that same mistake 6 weeks ago?

Daily Challenge

  • Think of one mistake you have made and give thanks for it. Name one thing that you have learned from it.

John Burruss