The Art of Planting an Orchard

 

Bear fruits

in keeping with repentance.

                Luke 3. 8

(Being repentant

   and accepting God's forgiveness

frees us up to live

         and love differently.

Bearing fruit is not just

       something that happens.

It means to do, make ready,

        and produce--

   all action verbs,

   all intentional actions.

What can we do in this barren land

       or mine field?

Love others right to Jesus,

   just as we have been loved.

A repentant person can see others

   with a new heart and mind,

   because Jesus has changed us.

Can others see

           that difference in us?

Not just that we are "nice" people,

     but forgiven and act that way?

Instead of selfishness,

    we are able to be kind

--which gets all over everyone.

We can't change others

                or circumstances,

but we can radically change

         how we respond.

What fruit can we bring here?)

O LORD,

We come before You,

   knowing we have done wrong.

Thank You that Your forgiveness

   already covers us.

Help us to live differently

      into this day before us,

not just getting through,

    slogging through the mud,

but planting an orchard,

  one act of grace at a time.

We may never witness

   the fruit You bear,

but we are assured that Your Word

     never returns void

and You are using us

            for Your glory.