Are you a piece of Good Fruit or Bad Fruit?

I know some of you are thinking, "Lisa has finally lost her mind." This is okay, on some levels, probably, but in a good way. Or at least I think so. I've heard various messages about good versus bad "fruit" in my lifetime and for years I didn't understand what anyone was talking about. If the fruit is good, you eat it. If the fruit is bad, you either make bread or toss it in the compost pile. Simple, right?

Not at all. Come to find out, all these years people haven't been talking about fruit at all. Instead, they are talking about our character. Yikes! With this in mind, would others, or more importantly, God, say you are someone modeling positive characteristics to those around you or are the choices you're making less than desirable? Only you can answer this question honestly. There are some, I was one of these, that appear to have it all together, making great choices, and are someone others look to for encouragement and modeling BUT on the inside, you know it's an act.

I'm not saying we intentionally go about our day to deceive and lead others on but in our fast-paced and "all-about-me" world, it's a challenge to stay on track to think, say, be, and live who we should be versus who the world thinks we should be, or are. If you are a piece of good fruit, you are the same person whether home with your family, at work, the grocery store, or at the PTA meeting. This is a difficult task, yet one that is possible.

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A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.    
          Every tree that does not bear good fruit
is cut down and thrown into the fire.    
          Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.            
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,'
will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only he who does the will
of my Father who is in heaven.    
          Many will say to me on that day,
'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name,
and in your name drive out demons
and perform many miracles?'    
          Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you.
Away from me, you evildoers!'    
Matthew 7:18-23

Let me encourage you, even with our "bad fruit", less than desirable qualities, we have the potential and inner making to be who we want to be. Most people don't get up in the morning and say, "Let me see how miserable I can be." or "I'm going model negative characteristics and make everyone's life as miserable as mine." This is just a silly idea. I didn't say all, because in life there are always exceptions to the rules.

We can look within ourselves and ask a few questions: Am I the person I want to be? Am I modeling, sharing, and living a life God would be proud of? If this is too deep for you, what about - If your mother or father would standing on your shoulder like Jiminy Cricket, would they approve of the choices and road you choose to travel? If you answered no to any of these questions, there is hope! You are not destined to be "bad fruit". You are wonderfully and uniquely made, God doesn't make mistakes.

Starting today, instead of focusing on the "bad fruit" in your life, make a choice to emphasize the positive and wonderful fruit you exhibit each and every day. Everyone has good in them, yes, EVERYONE! Sometimes you have to look deeper to see it in others. You might have to work harder to live it. You may need help from a friend, an accountability partner if you will. BUT...YOU CAN DO THIS!  Go and be good fruit!

You know the greatest benefit of modeling positive characteristics, each choice is an opportunity to show others it's possible to be "good fruit". Look at it as "planting seeds" of positivity and good. Just think of what would happen if everyone was doing this...

If you were a fruit tree:
Could someone pick your fruit for nourishment
or does your tree need a healthy pruning first?