Have you ever spent time with someone who shared your interests? You looked at the time and saw that fives hours had slipped by? Where did the time go? Then there was another instance when you tried to have a conversation with someone else and couldn’t believe that only five minutes had passed. Why is time going by so slowly? One brings life and energy - the other drains your strength.
Imagine yourself in a peach orchard. The fruit is ripe for the picking and free for the taking. As you bite into one of the peaches, the skin gives way and juice runs down your chin. It tastes so sweet and causes you to ask for another. They are free so you may have as many as you like.
Psalms 1:3 says “And he shall be like a tree firmly planted (and tended) by the streams of water, ready to bring forth his fruit in its season; his leaf also shall not fade or wither and everything he does shall prosper (and come to maturity).”
You are like a tree that has produced fruit so juicy, sweet and heavy that your branches reach the ground, attracting all kinds of people that are starving. Some of them are so weak, all they can do is crawl on the field. They turn their palms up and wait for the treat to fall into their hands, bringing healing and strength. To give away your produce is so easy, causes no pain and brings joy to your heart knowing you have provided sustenance for others.
The problem raises its head when there are others that are not satisfied with the fruit on the lower branches. They start climbing up into your branches, breaking some of them on the way. When they get to the top, they begin pulling on the pieces that are not ripe. They pull and strain and finally detach one piece from the tree. When they taste it, they complain that it is neither sweet or juicy, throwing it away and begin looking for another one.
The first group of people that love your fruit are those that share your interests and passions even though you may have known them for a short time. The second group may consist of those you have known a long time - family members, neighbors or co-workers that demand things like patience, peace, forgiveness and generosity. They don’t wait to receive from you, they grab before it’s offered.
Jesus dealt with both groups while He was here, and in essence said, “If it happened to Me, it will happen to you too”. He chose to be with those who had no fame, but did not shun those who ranked high in the religious realm. He provided fruit for the whole world.
Father, may we concentrate on the water of Your word to nourish and sustain us as You produce fruit in us. Help us to make it free and available to anyone who passes our way.
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