The branch
The branch cannot bear fruit by itself.
The branch of a tree is totally dependent on outside sources to bear fruit. By itself, a branch does not create fruit. In fact, a branch by itself is useless.
But, give the branch water and life happens. Fruit is created. What did not exist comes into existence because the water gave the branch the resources needed to create.
And, the purpose of the created fruit is not that it looks pretty, which it certainly does with vibrant colors and distinct shapes. The purpose of the fruit is to provide nourishment for others, to help others, to impact others.
The water gives life to the branch which gives life to the fruit so that others can be blessed.
As I sit here this morning, I hear the rain beating against my roof, a sound I haven’t heard in quite some time in Northwest Arkansas. We have been in the middle of a month’s long drought. If your yard is anything like mine, you have seen trees and shrubs that used to be vibrant turn completely brown, now useless. The branches are dry, no green leaves. Bend one of the branches and they snap. Their run is over.
The branches had no water this summer so they were not able to bear fruit. A branch by itself is completely useless.
This is us. Fruit in our lives doesn’t happen without water.
But, we try to make fruit on our own strength. We push, pull, and fight our way to achievement, accomplishment, success. The battle rages as we fight to make fruit.
The problem is that anything created by one’s own strength serves a purpose of glorifying oneself, not others. We get the title, the possessions, the glory, but no fruit.
Real fruit, lasting fruit impacts others. True fruit never glorifies oneself.
We spend our life trying to make things that truly matter. We desire to leave a mark, a legacy. We want to be seen as one who impacted others, who created good, who laid down their life for other people. This is the legacy we all desire.
But, the answer isn’t found by putting in more hours, running harder.
The answer is only found in abiding in the One that produces the water.
When I walk outside this morning, after the hard rain, the world around will be alive. You know what I mean. After a rain, there is a green, a beauty, from the leaves that didn’t seem to exist before the rain. It is as if they perked up, said, “I am back.” That beauty, that returning of life, happens in an instant.
The same is true of us. It happens in an instant as we abide.
And, only by abiding will we impact others, the legacy we ultimately desire.
Impact others. Live generously.