Bearing Fruit - New Evangelizers

The New Testament is filled with references to bearing fruit.  Scripture tells us that good trees bear good fruit and bad trees do not, and that branches that don’t bear fruit are pruned away. Remember what happened to the fig tree that disappointed Jesus with its lack of fruit? It withered and died.  Not a good end, especially as the story of the fig tree is an allegory for how God will judge you and me.

Whenever I consider “bearing fruit”, my first act is to measure the profitability of my day. Did I write enough pages today? Earn enough money? Fold enough laundry? My standard of measurement is quantity, and the results, or fruit, of my actions is usually something of benefit to me.  It’s also something I control through a long to-do list or a meaty action plan.  Is this what God wants?

It’s Not About Us

John 15:8 says This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. It’s not about winning accolades, fame and wealth for ourselves. The purpose of everything we do should be to give glory to God, and the real fruit comes from following the commands that Jesus gave us, most notably to love God above all else and to love one another as He loves us. We are required to show the world Jesus through how we behave. But don’t write off the above referenced laundry-folding, page-writing, and money-making. These, too, can be part of our role as intentional disciples.

Folding laundry can be an act of love done in support of the domestic church. Writing is a job, but doing the best job possible with respect for the client is an example of living in this world with a focus on the next. Even making money is a good thing in itself. In the past, Pope Francis said we have an obligation to make money so we can share with those less fortunate. In fact, the pope’s work to reform the Vatican’s finances has a higher purpose: a profitable Vatican will have more money available for charity. It’s only when our attachment turns from God to the wealth itself that it becomes a sin.

The Results are Out of Our Hands

John 15:5. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

We bear good fruit in whatever we do if we remain in Jesus while we’re doing it. That’s because we offer it to Him, and He does the rest. When the archangel Gabriel paid Mary a visit, she trusted in God and said yes. The result? The Savior entered the world. Mary did her part, but she didn’t control the outcome. We don’t know who God intends to touch through our actions, and most likely we’ll never see the final fruits. This can be difficult for human beings, because we like to see results.  We like to measure outcomes and adjust our course appropriately.

The easiest way to stay on track is to offer every act of your day to Jesus. Before you wash that dish or respond to that client, tell the Father that you are doing “this” for His glory. I guarantee a change in how you approach even menial tasks.

If you’re now feeling a pressure to perform,  you’ve missed the most important takeaway from John 15:5.

We can’t do anything without Him. Offer your best, and let God do the rest.

Copyright 2016, Jacqueline Vick

Jacqueline Vick

Jacqueline Vick is a devout Catholic, wife to a wonderful guy, pet parent to a troubled mutt, and mystery writer. Her website is www.jacquelinevick.com.