Fruit & Process

Dude…

What Daud?

You’ve been MIA John.

If you really wanted to find me you would have.

Really?

Of course!

How? You quit your job, changed your phone number, moved… Oh and did I say that you also quit social media? How could we have found you?

Did you ask my family?

Yup! Amina almost cried when she said you had gone into hiding from everyone and when I asked Baraka and he was like…who? What did you do?

I needed to get away from everyone.

Why?

They were bothering me, all were up in my business like crazy and I wanted space.

So you quit life to get away?

Sure, why not?

How is the family now?

I don’t know.

Haven’t you spoken to them?

Nope! I’m not fully back in circulation

Ok. So what’s up? Why did you call?

I have a question.

Shoot.

IMG_20151209_065050I remember you have always talked about submitting our will to God and allowing him to lead us and guide us in all our ways.

That’s Prov 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I see you still spurt scripture? Anyway, I’m just wondering what trusting God looks like?

What do you mean?

How do you identify someone who fully trusts God? The bible talks about knowing them by their fruits…sssshhhh…don’t tell me the scripture for that one…but what fruit does someone who trusts God bear?

For the record that is Matt 7:16. Our fruit is the visible part of our lives, the outcome and outworking of our faith that is seen as proof that we are walking in God.

All that I know but how do we know the fruit?

The fruit of our walk with God is that we become more like Him.

How we become like him? Are we able to be Christ-like in everything we do? The whole do go to others, be kind…all that

Contrary to the Sunday stories and lots of the current preaching, Christ wasn’t docile when He was here and God isn’t only love.

Now you’ve lost me

Remember how we were taught in Sunday school that God is love and that is the only part we talk about? He gives us, protects us, heals us, enriches us and all the list all because He loves us.

Sure. Isn’t it true?

Well, there were other instances where Christ showed a side that didn’t seem so loving.

When?

IMG_20151208_063311He threw the traders out of the temple with a whip. He called the Pharisees a brood of vipers. He spoke harshly to the men who questioned Mary Magdalene when she washed His feet with perfume. He spoke harshly to Peter and even said get the behind me Satan as He addressed Him. God repeatedly allowed the children of Israel to be sent into captivity and be mistreated but He always sent help and salvation when they repented. Yet even as he did or allowed all this, there was nothing but love flowing out of him.

How is that possible?

When you think about these things He seems to have a split personality. Yet there’s another perspective. Does a parent or guardian allow the children to do whatever they want with no boundaries?

No!

Do the same boundaries work for each child?

Hahahaaa…no

Why are you laughing?

I’m thinking about my mother and how she tried to use the same boundaries for my sister and I. the worked for my sister but made me more rebellious.

The same is true with God. He deals with each of us in justice not judgement. He has some things that are universal but the situations in your life and mine will be different because each of us is headed down a different path based on how He created us and who He desires we become.

Mmhhhh!

The fruit we each need to produce for His honour and glory, as well as the markings we need leave behind, will determine the path we walk. Knowing this, I confidently say that trusting God is an interesting place and discussion because it is not the same for everyone. However, it is a process that comes together over time and is a big part of our growth and hence fruit.

Are you saying we don’t produce the same fruit?

Nope! Similar fruit yes but not identical. Whereas all our paths produce grace and compassion in us, the depth varies based on process and person.

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Do you know your path? Are you in a process? The fruit of your life is eagerly awaited.

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