I Smell Orange Blossoms!

One of the joys of living in Central Florida a few years back was the smell of orange blossoms in the Springtime.  It's hard to describe how pleasant the aroma was.  Every year at about the same time the air would be infused with the smell of the blossoms.  It just made you feel good.  It was borderline addictive!  One thing was for sure; you knew the next crop of oranges was on the way when you smelled the blossoms.

When we first moved to Central Florida Connie, the kids, and I were amazed that we had orange trees - with oranges on them - right in our yard!  It was November when we moved there but the trees still had plenty of oranges on them.  It was such a novelty to walk out into the back yard and pluck a juicy orange from the tree.  Up until then, the only oranges we had ever experienced came from the produce department at the supermarket.  I have to be honest with you though.  Before I saw an orange actually on the tree, I didn't know an orange tree from an apple tree.  After picking several oranges I learned how to recognize an orange tree even without its fruit on it.  It's fruit indicated exactly what kind of a tree it was.

According to Jesus, it is the same way with those who follow Him.  He says in Luke 6: 44, "For each tree is known by its own fruit.  For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush."  In Florida I did not expect to find a bananas on orange trees.  Only oranges!  Jesus said, "Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance..." (Matt. 3: 8)  Those who are followers of Jesus bear fruit that indicates exactly who they are.  The fruit being born by Christians should present indisputable evidence that they love and follow after Christ, that their lives are being changed by Him, and that they no longer live for the world, but for Him.  The fruit provides the evidence for others.  The fruit provides the proof.  No matter how one talks, the fruit reveals the truth.

So what kind of fruit are you bearing?  Does it indicate that you have given your life to the Savior of the world?  Does the fruit you are bearing draw others closer to Jesus, because they see the indisputable evidence of the miracle He has done in your life?  Just asking, because I ask myself these questions (and more) every day.  Make a commitment to Him today to nurture your relationship in such a way that life-changing fruit (for you and others) will be born in your life.  I'm in!