Last year, a persimmon tree was planted in my garden. Surprisingly, there are about a dozen pieces of fruit on the tree. I have propped this guy up with sticks and rope to help sustain the weight. Almost daily, I am looking to see if the fruit remains connected to the branches and whether the color has changed from green to orange. I am excited as I witness this growth process. I can hardly wait to partake of its fruit.

It occurred to me that the fruit of the tree is a gift, a blessing to me. In many ways, I am like the persimmon tree. I have been planted, nurtured, and supported with the expectation that I will bear fruit. I am not alone. We are all gifts to this world. We each are called to bear fruit, be a gift, and a blessing. If we fail to meet expectations, we can be considered useless.

One day, Jesus saw a fig tree with leaves, and he approached it expecting to find fruit. There was no fruit. To my surprise, Jesus cursed the tree and it withered.

Fellow fruit bearers, let us be like the tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season, with leaves that do not wither, and everything we do prospers. Let us be branches connected to the true vine, bearing fruit that will last. Jesus is expecting us to prosper because he said in John 15, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” - John 15:8

Be fruitful, be a blessing.

Love,

Pastor Candy