Fruits of Your Labor

I've been thinking about fruit. Not the kind you eat, but rather the results of a productive life. The idea of bearing fruit suggests you've done something right. The phrase "fruits of your labor" refers to the product of one's hard work. If you work hard, it's not hubris to expect some fruit, something to show for all you've done.

But what happens when we labor and have nothing to show for it? Depression? Discouragement?

A friend of mine is experiencing the discouragement that comes from spending years building something good only to see it shriveling on the vine. It's heartbreaking. Especially since George and I were there at the beginning.

I have spent over ten years working on my science fiction novel, and had, until recently, given up the hope of getting published. But what if it hadn't turned around for me? How would I feel right now?

So, I got to thinking: What happens to your soul when you've poured everything into building a community of people with a common philosophy, and in the end it appears to be failing? A business. A school. A church. It takes money and effort and commitment to see such an endeavor succeed. It takes people working along side you. It takes blood, sweat, and tears, and much prayer and faith. And nobody wants to throw up their hands and walk away from such an endeavor. So what then?

Luckily the damaged soul can be restored. Psalm 23.

Some years ago, George and I served in a ministry called Cleansing Stream, wherein people were delivered from all kinds of bondages in their life. The time and energy we poured into training and ministry over the six years we served is incalculable. Sometimes we felt like no matter how hard we worked, we saw no fruit in the lives of those we discipled on the path to freedom. Many fell back into the same destructive patterns, and for some it seemed their lives got worse.

But I learned something valuable from God along the way. Ultimately, it was not my responsibility to get people to change. All I was called to do was deliver the message and be available for prayer, support, and accountability. It's a difficult path to freedom . . . ask anyone who has tried to quit alcohol or drug addiction. It's far easier to go back to the old life. The old life, you see, is what we know and feel comfortable in--to a certain extent. Kinda like "the devil you know" rather than the one you don't.

There's another expression that comes to mind: You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink. According to the Phrase Finder, it's the oldest English proverb still in use today. It means that people, like horses, will only do what they have a mind to do.

Children are like that, too. As parents we teach them all we can about making good choices and "looking before they leap." But mostly they'll learn from their mistakes, and we hope and pray they won't have to suffer too much before they get it.

People--child and adult alike--are like sheep. They have to be led or they'll get lost. Ultimately, sheep have to make a decision whether or not to respond to the shepherd's leading. The shepherd has to guard his/her soul against permanent damage, because while sheep can be tended and looked after and spoken kindly to, they and horses and people will make up their own minds--often choosing poorly. In the end it's really between them and God anyway. I may be only the messenger. So, don't shoot me!

There were many messengers in the history of Israel. Prophets, they were called. Over and over they warned Israel to repent and turn back to God or they would be destroyed. In case you didn't know, the Israelites didn't listen. They suffered the consequences. And after all those prophets, men of God, went through to get their message across! Ezekiel laid naked on his side for over a year. Jeremiah was thrown into a muddy pit and held in stocks. Others were stoned, tortured, executed. They did what God asked. They did everything they could, and they suffered in order to bring the message. In the end, it wasn't they who failed, but the sheep who wanted to live life on their own terms.

Letting go is probably the hardest thing a person can do when all seems lost. But it may be the best. In any event, I'd like to encourage my friend with this: I know you, the life you've led. and there is fruit. Lots of it.