Following and Trusting : Encountering God Out of the Box

aka: What is the fruit?

Lately, I’ve been leading women to reflect on a simple question:

What is this (name it) producing in my life?

Not, Is it popular?
Not, Is it impressive?
Not even, Is it technically correct?

But rather:

Is it producing love?

Jesus said that we would know a tree by its fruit (Matthew 7:16). Fruit reveals the health of the root. The outcome reveals the source.

So, what if we paused and looked honestly at the fruit our habits, relationships, media consumption, spiritual practices, and even our thought patterns are producing?

If what you’re doing is producing greater love for God and others, that’s worth paying attention to.

If what you’re doing is producing more joy, more peace, more patience, more kindness, more freedom, more hope—that’s worth noticing too.

But what if the fruit looks different?

What if what you’re doing is producing:

• shame
• guilt
• fear
• anxiety
• condemnation
• bitterness
• hopelessness
• striving

Perhaps it’s time to pause.

Not because you’re failing.

Not because God is disappointed.

But because God is inviting you into something better.

The Apostle Paul tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is:

“Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Notice that these qualities are not something we manufacture through sheer effort.

They are fruit.

Fruit grows naturally when a branch remains connected to the vine.

Jesus said:

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you.” (John 15:4)

That means the goal isn’t first about doing better.

It’s about abiding better.

Before the doing comes the being.

Before the ministry.
Before the service.
Before the fixing.
Before the striving.

There is the invitation to simply be.

Be loved.

Be known.

Be still.

Be with the One who is Love itself.

So often, when life becomes difficult, our instinct is to work harder, pray harder, try harder, or solve harder.

Yet Jesus continues to extend the same invitation:

“Come to me…” (Matthew 11:28)

Come to the Prince of Peace.

Come to the One who is gentle and humble in heart.

Come to the One whose presence is not filled with shame, but grace.

In His presence, we discover that joy is not something we have to chase.

It is something we receive.

As David wrote:

“In Your presence is fullness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11)

What a beautiful promise.

Not partial joy.

Not occasional joy.

Fullness of joy.

Today, if you find yourself carrying heaviness, striving, guilt, or discouragement, perhaps the invitation is not to do more.

Perhaps the invitation is simply to pause.

Pause and ask:

Jesus, what is producing this fruit in my life?

Jesus, what are You inviting me to release?

Jesus, where are You inviting me to receive Your love today?

Then sit quietly with Him.

Let His peace settle over your heart.

Let His love remind you who you are.

Let His joy strengthen you.

And remember:

The following Jesus life is not primarily about doing things for God.

It is about being with God.

And from that place, everything else flows.

Be loved.

Be with the Prince of Peace.

In His presence is fullness of joy.

Listening Prayer Questions

• Jesus, what fruit are You growing in my life right now?
• Is there anything I am doing that is producing fear, shame, or striving instead of Your peace?
• What are You inviting me to lay down today?
• What does it look like for me to abide more deeply in You this week?
• Jesus, how do You want me to experience Your love, joy, and peace today?
• What would change if I truly believed that I am already loved?
  

Merri Ellen 🙂

He has more for you!

YOU are a sacred space.

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Join other hungry women seeking the Lord together.

Enjoy the books: “God, Show Me What You See”
or “God, Show Me More of You“