6 October
DAY 6 — Fruitfulness Impacts Others
Proverbs 11:30 (NIV) “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.”
Focus Thought: Fruit is never produced merely for the benefit of the tree. A fruit tree produces something that others can receive. In the same way, the fruit God develops in your life is intended to become a blessing to people around you. Your patience benefits your family. Your generosity meets another person's need. Your encouragement strengthens someone who feels discouraged. Your faith inspires someone who is struggling to believe.
Your fruit becomes nourishment for someone else.
Proverbs describes the fruit of the righteous as “a tree of life.” What a powerful picture. God desires your life to become a place where people encounter encouragement, wisdom, hope, grace, truth, and love. Hosting His Presence should therefore affect our relationships.
We cannot claim to carry God's Presence while consistently leaving people wounded by our words, attitudes, or behaviour. His Presence should increasingly make us life-giving people.
Ask yourself: What do people experience when they encounter me?
Do they leave strengthened or diminished? Encouraged or discouraged? Seen or ignored? Loved or judged? This does not mean we never speak difficult truth. Jesus spoke truth clearly. But truth carried through His Presence brings life and transformation.
Sometimes the greatest fruit of your life will appear in places you never see. A prayer you prayed may strengthen someone years later. A word of encouragement may prevent someone from giving up. An act of kindness may restore someone's hope. You may never know the full impact. So keep producing life. Allow the Presence of God within you to become a tree of life to the people around you.
Fruitfulness becomes powerful when what God produces in you begins nourishing someone else.
Action for Today: Intentionally encourage, help, pray for, or strengthen someone.
Reflective Question: Who experienced something life-giving through you today?
Prayer: Lord, make my life a source of encouragement, hope, and strength to others. Amen.
Journal Prompt: Who can I intentionally nourish today?