My mother is a Certified Master Gardener. Dad is also a master gardener sans the certification. Both of them love tilling the ground, planting seeds, growing flowers for beauty, and fruit and vegetables for the table. They have a garden wherever they make their home.

One of their gardens along the way featured different kinds of plums, peaches, blackberries, and strawberries. Our son was a wee tot then and enjoyed staining his clothes with fruit juices. I myself enjoy substituting fruit for the waffle fries that would otherwise accompany my grilled chicken sandwich from Chick fil A. 

Yesterday’s lunch at another favorite establishment included a cup of strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Fruit is good food. 

Jesus often talked about fruitfulness. He said you can quickly tell the difference between those who know and experience God in ever-greater measure from those who do not. There is a change in their essential nature, their observable character. 

The Apostle Paul contrasted those ruled by their sinful nature with those ruled by the Spirit of God in Galatians 5:19-26. In verses 22 and 23 he describes the fruit of a close walk with God: 

When people inspect your life and mine, they expect to see growth and development. They expect to see us becoming more loving, more peaceful, more patient, kinder, better, more faithful, gentler, and more in control of our emotions and reactions. They expect to see more Jesus. 

Do they?

Do they see more Jesus?

Do they see more blackberries and fewer briars?

Many years ago, I added Galatians 5:22, 23 to my weekly prayer list. Tuesday by Tuesday, I asked God to build these character qualities into my life. I wanted more of his love, his unconquerable benevolence, to flow from me. I wanted to join him in seeking his highest good for others.

I wanted more of his joy to overflow into the lives of others from my ever-closer walk with him. I wanted more of his peace, evidenced by a tranquil heart and mind, to rule my actions and reactions. 

On and on, I sought to turn these ideals into reality. This desire still shapes my prayers. I commend this kind of praying to you. Take time to learn what these words identified as the fruit of the Spirit mean. Consider how they can shape your thoughts and reshape the results of your good behavior. Depend on God and trust him to build into you a sweet life of overflowing goodness. 

Everyone we meet gauges our fruitfulness with one kind of measure or another. Give them the opportunity to see the best, to experience the best, and to desire the best. 

Jesus is The Master Gardener. He wants your life to bear much fruit, fruit that will last. See John 15 for details.

Our world is a sweeter, better place when we bear much fruit. 

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I will live a fruitful life.

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