It is fashionable in both corporate and non-profit circles to talk about markers of effectiveness, data-driven strategies, measurable goals and outcomes. Jesus used one word for all of that: fruitful. “Each tree is known by its fruit,” he taught. (Luke 6:44). “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matt 7:19). “No branch can bear fruit by itself.“ (John 15:4b). “I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.” (John 15:16b).
And in this week's parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.”
Anytime we want to evaluate our effectiveness as bearers of Christ and ministers of the Good News, there’s our criterion: are we bearing fruit, good fruit, fruit that will endure? That can be a highly subjective question – sometimes there’s lots of fruit, but not where we’re looking, or it’s not yet ripe, or doesn’t look like good fruit. And sometimes we think we’re rolling in fruit – like when numbers are up – and it turns out there isn’t much transformation going on. Fruitfulness is about more than productivity.
The marker of good fruit I look for is this: Are lives being changed? Are people turning their hearts God-ward and becoming less reliant on their own strength, or the traps and pitfalls this life throws our way? Are they becoming more gentle, more generous, more gracious? Are they less tolerant of injustice and inequity, and quicker to right a wrong?
Sometimes I feel the "fruit" is very scarce; I question whether all my activity is having any impact, yielding any transformation at all. In such times, I need to remember that I’m just a farm worker, helping to plant, weed, water and shade. The fruit itself is up to the Gardener, and sometimes we just need to get out of his way. Notice, the gardener in Jesus’ story was all for giving the fig tree another year.
There are also seasons. There is a song I like called “Desert Song” which talks about praising God in all circumstances (here; song begins at about 2.35) – its bridge says,
All of my life in every season you are still God,
I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship.” And the last verse goes,
And this is my prayer in the harvest, When favour and providence flow,
I know I'm filled to be emptied again; the seed I've received I will sow.
We need to be faithful to the work, adjusting our approach as God leads, but we cannot control the harvest.
When you look around your life, what feels fruitful? Where are you making God connections? How are you growing in faith? And what feels stunted and not growing? Can you have a conversation with God about that?
Though fruit can be counted, it’s not really until we take a bite that you know whether or not it’s any good. As tempting as it is to measure ourselves and others by worldly standards, only God is entitled to judge us. He might prune our branches or dig around us, but we can be sure God is invested in our bearing beautiful fruit.
We need to be faithful to the work, adjusting our approach as God leads, but we cannot control the harvest.
When you look around your life, what feels fruitful? Where are you making God connections? How are you growing in faith? And what feels stunted and not growing? Can you have a conversation with God about that?
Though fruit can be counted, it’s not really until we take a bite that you know whether or not it’s any good. As tempting as it is to measure ourselves and others by worldly standards, only God is entitled to judge us. He might prune our branches or dig around us, but we can be sure God is invested in our bearing beautiful fruit.
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