When I was in second grade, I was given the assignment to take home a pea pod and cultivate it. Days passed and I faithfully watered and cared for this little pod. One day, I came home to find my pea pod was no longer in the pot I had planted it in. First lesson in gardening- if you have a pet and you are growing food, keep it in higher places so they won’t be tempted to eat it when it develops and looks like a tasty snack.
People who flourish at producing beautiful gardens are said to have the ‘green thumb.’ In other words, whatever they plant, they can keep it alive. Although I have met few people that possess the green thumb when it comes to plants, I have discovered that there is a another Way to produce crops that last longer than the spring’s blossom.
In John 15, Jesus describes us all as his fruit. He has nurtured, watered, weeded, and pruned us so that we would be fruitful in our faith and our love for the Farmer and the Vine. As we grow and mature in His joy we realize that we are more than servants of the living God, we are His friends. Jesus said, “I no longer call you servants because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything I have learned from my Father, I have made known to you.”- John 15:15
Now that we have developed a faith in the true Vine, we are called to increase the crop. Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit- fruit that will last- and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”- John 15:16. Each of the Lord’s disciples came from different backgrounds. There were fishermen, a tax collector, a doctor, etc. It is the same today. His followers have different social circles that we interact with on a day-to-day basis. We all have different gardens that are in need of tender, loving care. Are you being the careless farmer, throwing your seeds on the path where birds can easily eat your seeds or in the thorns where the roots will be shallow and life will be short or do you possess the green thumb, gently laying each seed with tender care and then watering faithfully? Let us all look to Jesus and seek to leave imprints of truth and love on those around us to produce a crop that will last for eternity.
“This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:17.
Manna and Coffee 