FRUITFUL LABOR

 

We bought some pears this week. They looked beautiful and spotless...at first.

 

But, by the time we had transferred them to a bowl on our counter and especially by the next morning,

they began showing evidence of what they'd been through since their untouched display at the store.

 

Being the visual type, my heart began creating a story through the appearance of these pears on my cutting board today.

I thought of our missionary friend who once told us how he'd like to get to heaven all spent and bruised. He told us that he knew Who/what/where he was living for and that his life on earth would be a reflection of that. His life would be fruitful labor. 

 

He may as well have told us this over 100 times, because that's how many times his words have resounded in our ears.

We refer to what he said often. We always need reminders...especially when things get a little, "whoa"...

 

Francis Chan shares of such things through his funny and yet quite serious rope analogy.

He loves to get people thinking and he knows that visual illustrations leave lasting impressions.

 

Enter the rope:

 

 

It's hard to move on from the rope without a quick flashback to the balance beam too.

 

 

(Thanks for the reminders, Francis.)

 

This is how we want to live our lives here on earth, mindful that we're right in the middle of the few inches of red at the moment. It's not our "best life now" we're searching for, living for here. No, it's eternity we live for, long for, wait for, spend ourselves for. It's seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness, believing that when we do God provides for us all that we need just as the Bible says.

 

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Matthew 6:33 

 

So we offer our lives to trustworthy Him. We acquire bruises, dents, soft spots, and scars along the way, just like the pears on my counter. But, we believe it's worth it. We know that it's an eternity with Jesus we're spending ourselves here and now for and HE is SO worth it!

 

"If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me."

Philippians 1:22