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Apricot Blossoms and God given Fruit


A lesson struck close to home this week.  I noticed that the apricot trees were blooming.  They are so beautiful!  But the weather has been lingering cold and windy.  There isn't much of a chance that the tree will bring us any fruit at the end of June . . . again!  Last year there were around 5 apricots that ripened, when there could have been hundreds, maybe even box fulls of juicy, sweetly sour globes.  Few grocery stores sell tree-ripened apricot perfection.   If I could just have a bowlful to myself.  I was willing to wait a few months until the sun turned them soft, orange, but a wait another whole year?  I wasn't sure I could bear it.  I was a little upset with the tree, and the weather, and everything.  Then the thought, straight from God, and His Word, knifed it's way into my mind, and then on into my heart.  "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, (from the Lord's prayer.) (Pause) I would that ye bear much fruit."  I knew immediately what it meant.  God has forgiven me much.  Can't I forgive the tree?   How many years has God been tending me, wishing that I would bear fruit?  He is waiting to pour the fruit of the Holy Spirit, given by God, for the blessing of others.  Am I ready?

 

I came inside, and did some research on the subject, and this is what I found.
     "When one is fully emptied of self, when every false god is cast out of the soul, the vacuum is filled by the inflowing of the Spirit of Christ. Such a one has the faith that purifies the soul from defilement. He is conformed to the Spirit, and he minds the things of the Spirit. He has no confidence in self. Christ is all and in all. He receives with meekness the truth that is constantly being unfolded, and gives the Lord all the glory, saying, "God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit." "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." [1 Corinthians 2:10, 12.]  {Gospel Workers 287.1}
    "The Spirit that reveals, also works in him the fruits of righteousness. Christ is in him, "a well of water springing up into everlasting life." [John 4:14.] He is a branch of the True Vine, and bears rich clusters of fruit to the glory of God. What is the character of the fruit borne?--The fruit of the Spirit is "love," not hatred; "joy," not discontent and mourning; "peace," not irritation, anxiety, and manufactured trials. It is "long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." [Galatians 5:22, 23.] {Gospel Workers, page 287}


The prescription for fruit bearing seemed clear to me.  A complete emptying of self, so there is room for the Holy Spirit to purify is needed.  Is there any hatred, discontent, irritation, or anxiety in my life?  What am I morning?  Could I be manufacturing some of my own trials, by not surrendering to God in all things?  He is longing to give the Holy Spirit and to fill each of us with His "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance." Galations 5:22, 23.

Could these fruits be even more delicious then sun-ripened, fresh apricots?  I think so!

(And if, by a miracle of God there are golden orange apricots on my tree in June, I'll be sure to share a photo with you.  And by His grace there will will also be many more fruit of the Spirit in my life to share with you also.)  May the Lord be glorified for all that He has done and is doing.

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