The Fruit Which Cannot Be Stolen
In which Brent learns that spiritual fruitfulness is possible even when success is not
The Pun
The Prayer
My circumstances are ever changing, sometimes leaving me frustrated by a moving target of what success is and whether I can accomplish it based on my daily fluctuations in energy and willpower. In a search for something surer, I believe there is a better target than conquering success, for we are more than conquerors in Christ! The scriptural term that defines the goal greater than success is 'fruitfulness'. And it is a good one because fruitfulness is assured more by what the plant is rooted in than its environment. If I am rooted in Christ, fruitfulness is guaranteed.
If success means being loved by others, Then I have no guarantee of it Because love is the choice of the lover. But if I am rooted in the love of God, I am guaranteed the fruit of love. "We love because He first loved us." If success means things going my way Then I have no guarantee of it Because my ways are not His. But if I am purely delighted in Him I am guaranteed the fruit of joy "The pure in heart will see God." If success means avoiding the storm Then I have no guarantee of it Because trouble is promised in this world. But if my trust is fixed on the Master of the Sea I am guaranteed the fruit of peace "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." If success means finding the easy path Then I have no guarantee of it Because the road is broad that leads to destruction But if I endure toward the One who endured the cross for me I am guaranteed the fruit of patience "We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing they produce patience" If success means being treated with respect Then I have no guarantee of it Because true honor is given, not demanded. But if I give freely according to what God has given me I am guaranteed the fruit of kindness. "He who supplies seed to the sower will increase the harvest of your righteousness." If success means never making a mistake Then I have no guarantee of it Because I cannot add one inch to my moral stature. But if I abandon all to pursue the perfect one Then I am guaranteed the fruit of goodness “If you would be perfect, sell what you possess and come, follow me." If success means sticking to the plan Then I have no guarantee of it Because only His purposes will stand. But if I stick to seeking Him and His righteousness Then I am guaranteed the fruit of faithfulness "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." If success means shattering what I hate Then I have no guarantee of it Because the wrath of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God. But if I, being evil, receive God's rain and rising sun Then I am guaranteed the fruit of gentleness "You have given me your salvation, and your gentleness made me great." If success means controlling my surroundings Then I have no guarantee of it Because I, by worrying, cannot make one hair white or black But if give myself over to the Spirit's governance Then I am guaranteed the fruit of self-control "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of self-control."