2021 - Bear Fruit

A lot of people are ready for 2020 to be behind them, and for many good reasons.  But just changing a number, flipping the calendar, and taking a deep breath really doesn’t change anything.  There is so much out of our control - COVID, politics, global and domestic unrest, deceit, and full blown information warfare.  The world has been shaken, and we find ourselves on our knees.  And on our knees is a great place to find our “self”, find God, and strengthen the bond between us.
Of all the things that are out of our control, there is one thing, one purpose God has called us to that He wouldn’t commission us unless we could: bear fruit.  This year, we are going to intentionally focus on that end goal, why it is essential, what it means, how to act towards it, and what a fruit bearing person/church/community looks like.  And we’re going to go for it.  
Paul says in Galatians 5: 22-23 that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.”  These are things that we could all use more of!  But these are things we can’t self-motivate or force into action.  They are results of a life connected to the vine (John 15: 1-17). 
Growing fruit means that soil is sufficient, seeds are planted, time passes, water is given, light is shined and absorbed, time passes, branches are connected to the vine or trunk, leafy branches are pruned, time passes, flowers bloom, pollinators fertilize the seed, the flower closes and develops into a fruit.  And the fruit - the love, the joy, the peace, et cetera are not meant to drop and rot away!  They are meant to be life sustaining food for others!  
So this new year, let us aim together, united (at home AND in church) at answering the call to action to bear fruit!  It’s not a “New Year’s resolution,” that we try for thirty days like a diet and give up.  It’s a “New Year All Year RESOLVE” to start with the soil with the fruit in mind.  
And join me in bringing fruit to church to share, enjoy, and keep the focus on the purpose!  See you at the garden!  SK