Day 4: Faith Reflection
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
I’ve been out of commission for a few weeks due to Covid, but I’m back in the saddle. Kicking things off with a short faith reflection.
Matthew 7:15-18
You will know a tree by its fruit. Fruit is so common that we fail to consider its wonder. Some of it is eaten, providing nourishment and sustaining life. Some falls to the ground as fertilizer, helping prepare the soil for new life. Still other fruit descends into the earth. It’s seed producing life and participating in the process of creation. To be fruitful is to make an impact that supports life. The actions we take as a result of our beliefs, must be fruitful.
I was once asked to explain, what salvation means to me?
When I think of salvation, I remember being homeless, hungry and terrorized by domestic violence. I recall my constant fear as I waited for the next calamity to overtake me. One day, everything changed. The day I went into foster care, my life was literally saved from becoming another statistic. I had food and shelter. I had love and support from family, friends and my church community. I had life again.
When I think of salvation, that is what I think of, and it only happened because someone took action. They didn’t just say a prayer and keep it moving. They didn’t see my situation and offer sympathy before turning away. They saw my dire need, and made a choice that bore fruit. That fruit, was my salvation.
Many people talk about their faith without paying attention to the fruit we bear. As you reflect on your life today, remember that our actions must be fruitful.
I leave you with this question: What fruit will they know you by?