Produce
This is one of those words in the English language that has double meaning but is similar. When I hear the word produce in certain situations, I think of lettuce, peppers, beans, squash…. fresh fruits and vegetables sold at the local market or grocery store. I believe that this might be a “southern thang/slang”. I also hear the word produce and it means activity to create desirable results. When I hear the words produce or productivity as a REALTOR, I know that it means to sell homes or help buyers buy homes. If I am going to make a living at it, I must produce results pretty often.
As a follower of Jesus, my life is supposed to produce service to the King of Kings. John the Baptist called everyone out on simply wearing a name that says you follow God. He makes it clear that your life should produce fruit that comes from repentance. Check this out….
8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:8-9 NIV)I’m not necessarily trying to simple check off a “punch list” of good deeds, but I’m really to live a life of service to God by serving others. If I’m to be productive in God’s world, it’s not as much about “doing” as it is about “being”. My good deeds come out of my walk with the Lord. I’m not doing good because I wear His name. I want to do God because He’s changed my heart and my perspective on life. I want my life to produce fruit that shows the Spirit of God inside of me. I want to be a tree that produces fruit for the Kingdom of God!
Pressing On! Dwayne