I don't know about you. But for me, Monday morning is often a time to "take stock" of what needs to be done in the week ahead. And so in that spirit, I'd like to ask: "What tasks do you hope to accomplish this week?"

 

Naturally, I'd imagine that we all have lots of different answers to that question. We've got responsibilities at work we need to manage. And there are chores around the house we need to get done. We might want to squeeze in some exercise. And then, of course, there are all kinds of relationships we'd like to invest in. And all of these things are good. And yet, I wonder how our aspirations for the week might change if we asked instead, "What fruit will you grow this week?"

 

Of course, we might be tempted to say, "I don't see how that would change my answer very much." But here's the thing: The 'tasks we accomplish' are a function of what we do, while 'the fruit we grow' is a function of who we are.

 

We get reminded of this, I think, in today's word from Luke Chapter 6. "A good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit," Jesus says, "and on the other hand, a bad tree doesn’t produce good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit...A good person produces good out of the good stored up in their heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in their heart, for the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart." (6:43, 45)

 

You see, we can check all kinds of things off our "to do" list and finish the week having "accomplished" a lot. But it's the condition of our hearts that determines whether what we do will bring forth the kind of "good fruit" that nourishes and blesses others.

 

So this Monday morning, let's take stock of who Jesus wants us to be in the week ahead. And then let's ask His Spirit to make us that kind of people. Amen.

 

Please note: My family and I are taking a little vacation this week. So this will be the last "Word from Pastor Alex" until next Monday. God bless you, and have a great week.