Wednesday, April 16, 2003
Wednesday, April 16, 2003
That you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit
in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.
You may remember that fascinating experiment that took place at Amherst College some years
ago in which a squash seed was planted in good soil. When it had produced a squash about the
size of a man's head, the researchers put a band of steel about it with a harness attachment by
which they sought to determine the lifting power of the squash as it tried to grow.
They estimated that it might have the power of 500 pounds; which in itself would have been
amazing. In a month it was pressing the 500 pounds; in two months 1,500 pounds, then it went
to 2,000 and they had to strengthen the bands. It finally reached a pressure of 5,000 pounds
when it broke the bands. They opened the squash and found it full of course fibers that had
grown to fight away the obstacle that was hindering its growth. Roots extended out about 80,000
feet in all directions, as the squash was reaching out for help to strengthen the fiber.
I would hate to think that you and I have less determination than a squash. We have been given
minds and bodies and dreams that we might struggle against life and produce fruit worthy of
branches connected to the living vine of Jesus Christ.
(Colossians 1.10
NRSV)
Bearing fruit is an important aspect of the Christian life. Some of us want to bear blossoms, but
not fruit. We want to look good. We want others to admire us, even envy us. But we do not want
to go about the hard work of bearing fruit. And yet the non-productive life is an unhappy life.
Dear God, may I bear much fruit for your kingdom. Amen.
