Before I set out on the path to ministry, church members were asked questions about me regarding my faith. Among the questions was this one: ‘Does Ian show fruit?’ I had never really understood what Jesus meant in the verse quoted above, but this question made me consider the analogy anew.

When I worked for a sales company, one of my colleagues was a man who was always smiling, laughing and pleasant to be around. Every- one loved him for his spirit. One day while I was making a sales call, the person at the other end of the phone was rude to me. As I voiced my anger and frustration after the call, my colleague came into my office and said, ‘I’ve had calls like that before. When I get them, I quickly pray to Jesus, smile, then make another call!’ It was now clear to me why everyone was drawn to this man. He was bearing the fruit of a deep relationship with Christ, and many of us were hungry for this kind of spiritual strength.

Through my colleague’s example I began to understand what Jesus meant by his words, ‘Each tree is recognised by its own fruit’, and to think about what this meant for my life as a minister. As life’s challenges arise, others can see our fruit through the kindness and compassion we show them and by reflecting the peace of God within us.

 

Prayer: Dear God, help us to take every opportunity to share with others the fruits of our relationship with you. Amen