You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed youB)’>—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:16
Last night was one of the most exciting of the year for football fans. Yet no game was played. It was the first night of the NFL draft. We all know the basics of how this works from when we were kids. When it was time to play a team sport a couple of captains were chosen and they took turns picking team members. I wasn’t good at any sport so these were embarrassing times as I was usually picked last. Once I was picked I was usually told not to touch the ball and to try not to mess the others up.
The draft is exciting for the players because it means big money and the chance to continue to play a game they love. For the fans it’s exciting as they see where their favorite college players will go and whom their favorite NFL teams will select. The worst teams generally get to go first and the best players generally are picked first. But historically, it doesn’t always work out that way. Often the guys picked early turn out to be busts and “gambles” from the later rounds turn out to be stars. Not all the picks bear fruit.
Like most things, there are life lessons for us. As Christians we often act as if we chose Jesus. He chose us. We also forget that we were chosen for a purpose: to bear lasting fruit.
When we struggle with the place where we worship, we need to remember that Jesus calls us to a place, not for our comfort, but to bear fruit. If we begin to feel uncomfortable in our environment, something needs to change. Maybe we need to change environment, or maybe we need to change.
Winter is over. Spring is here. The time for fruit bearing is upon us. Is there fruit in your life? When a plant isn’t bearing fruit there is a reason. There is a chance it is planted in the wrong place, but uprooting and replanting is a drastic measure. More likely it needs more watering, or food or sun light.
Before you decide it’s time to be transplanted make sure that your are getting plenty of food (scripture), plenty of sun (the Son), and plenty of water (the Spirit). Before you get uprooted and replanted, make sure the new soil is richer and brighter with a better water supply than where you are now.
The guys who got drafted last night are thrilled. They don’t much care where they will play. They are just glad they were picked.
I sure am glad He picked me. I pray He’s happy with His choice.
Be blessed.
Nick
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