From Henri Nouwen: Trusting in the Fruits
We belong to a generation that wants to see the results of our work. We want to be productive and see with our own eyes what we have made. But that is not the way of God’s Kingdom. Often our witness for God does not lead to tangible results. Jesus himself died as a failure on a cross. There was no success there to be proud of. Still, the fruitfulness of Jesus’ life is beyond any human measure. As faithful witnesses of Jesus we have to trust that our lives too will be fruitful, even though we cannot see their fruit. The fruit of our lives may be visible only to those who live after us.
What is important is how well we love. God will make our love fruitful, whether we see that fruitfulness or not.
Eugene Peterson notes that in contrast to the tower buidling of the Chaldeans and the Egyptians – Abraham, when arriving in the land promised him, digs wells. In starting this site – the temptation was there again to build something – create something, or achieve something. But, again I’m drawn back to digging well’s. Well’s are spaces of abscence which can accept Presence – not because of anything they do – but because of the absence created. When the wells are filled, it is then that they can bring life to others. The trees that bear fruit are also the trees that are well watered.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.