Fruitful thinking

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