Summertime
is upon us. Among other things, this season is a time of ripening — a time of
fruitfulness. Does this affect us in our own lives? Maybe so, let's see.
I awoke
early the morning of the longest day of the year. I was up, so why not take a
quick spin on the Jerusalem Mile before chapel? In that pre-sunrise light of
the summer solstice I found my way to the labyrinth.
There are
many ways to walk the labyrinth. Often, I’ll carry something specific with me
into its opening. This time, I had nothing particular in mind. I just walked
in. By the second turn, I was talking to God.
“Thank you,
Lord, for this most beautiful morning, and for this beautiful place. I cannot
believe I have the grace and good fortune to call Richmond Hill home.
Awesomeness abounds! I am so grateful!”
“So, here’s
the thing, Lord. Are you calling me? How will I know what my call looks like? I
figure you know — plus, you’ve equipped me with appropriate skills, interests
and talents to get the job done. I believe I’ve got the willingness to follow
and serve. I know I’m in a good place and location to get the work done. But
what does this call actually look like?”
“Well,
there’s your problem,” a dear friend said as I shared this question with her.
“You mean, ‘What does this call sound like?’ You don’t see a call, you
hear it.”
“Let’s not
get picky. I’m visual. And I’d like to see it,” was my response. Anyway, what
we’re talking about here is a matter of recognition — how do you recognize
exactly what is your call?
Recognition
can come in many forms: what might it look like, sound like, feel like? “It
looks like a good opportunity. It sounds like a great idea. It just feels
right.” These are forms of internal recognition. But what about external
recognition? How does validation appear?
There are
passages that appear in the gospel about good trees producing good fruit. Both
Matthew and Luke comment that bad trees cannot produce good fruit.
What makes
the good fruit good? Is it God, by His divine design? Or, is it humanity — who
tends the orchard? It’s a combined effort no doubt. A good yield is just that,
a good yield. The evidence resides in an overflowing basket, for all to see.
Touch. And taste.
The answer
to my question is clear. If you’re looking for the good fruit, be sure to check
your personal produce aisle. If your fruit looks good, congratulations. Chances
are you’re probably in the right field.
Richard Rumble
July 2014
