Imagine
with me a very large and beautiful apple tree. It stands here between you and
me. Its bark is gnarled and gray. If we stopped and looked just at the trunk
and that bark etched deeply by years of growth, we might not be attracted to it
or find it of any worth. However, there is much more to an apple tree than just
its trunk and bark.
As
we move up the trunk we can see branches spread out. Some of these branches are
as old as the trunk, though smaller around. Others are younger and seem more
vibrant and supple. On each one of these branches are beautiful variegated
leaves. The sun weaves its way through the fibers causing each one to be a
radiant garment of green. The breeze blows gently through and taps each leaf
asking it if it may have this dance.
Throughout
the leaves we can see orbs of a golden color. They cling to the limbs as if
their life depended upon it. Hovering together closely in groups of three or
four, they draw us to them by their sweet aroma. These apples of gold are the
jewels of the mature and thriving tree. They are the fruits of its labor.
Psalm
1:1-3 says: “Blessed is the one who does
not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit
in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who
meditates on his law day and night. That
person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in
season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever they do prospers.”
That is a beautiful picture of people who are alive and thriving because
of the presence of the Lord in their lives—prosperous, life-giving and
fruitful. There
are many fruits of the Christian life. There is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Then there is tenderness,
compassion, like-mindedness, being one in spirit and in purpose, selflessness,
humility (Philippians 2:1-11). There is
also a love that is superlative in every way to the other kinds of loves we
know—it is the love of Christ Jesus borne out into each of us through the
abiding presence of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 13).
Questions for Consideration: Which of
these apples of gold do you excel in? Which do you need the help of the Holy
Spirit to bring you to a deeper level of maturity?
Prayer Prompt: Ask the Lord to help you
mature in your weakest areas so that you can produce more beautiful fruit.
M.R. Hyde
