I was listening to Bill Hybels the other day and gleaned some Healthy Rules he suggested:
1. Return to Christian Basics
2. Return to Wise Spending, Faithful Giving, Careful Saving, Generosity to the Poor, No big moves - no more debt!.
3. Learn and be humble.
When we talk about “fruit” someone may say, “but you all look the same!” What do you think?
Connie & I were out for a drive and couldn’t resist one more picture of autumn. As we drove around we’d find dozens of these piles of pumpkins. One person told me that if they were not used soon they would prove that they were mostly water and be nothing but a bit of compost on the ground. So, lots of folks we’re busy picking out the perfect pun’kin. Some dad would soon be walking back to the car, a pumpkin under each arm and two excited kids bouncing beside him planning the demise of two pumpkins.
Don’t they all look alike? How can anyone spend time looking, comparing and agonizing to find the “perfect pumpkin”? We’re kind of like pumpkins aren’t we. There are a lot of new Canadians. They arrive in Canada and they think a lot of us look alike. I’m white. I didn’t plan it. I can’t do much about it. But, some folks think we all look alike. Everytime I am introduced to a new culture overseas I think “they all look alike, they sound alike and they talk alike“. Now what do you think, are we all alike? Are we just a field of pumpkins - mostly water, soon to decompose?
When are people not “pumpkins“? We are not “pumpkins” when someone knows us, when someone sees us as family, when someone thinks we are unique, distinct, special, worth knowing and created to accomplish “a mission”. Identical twins are pumpkins to some people but to their momma they are different and unique. Everyone wants to shed their “pumpkin skin” and be wanted, enjoyed and on mission.
You’re not a pumpkin - your unique and you were created according to Ephesians 2:8-10 with some “good things you were created to do”. You’re not “orange” your a different colour, one that your Creator particularly likes, or else you would be some other colour. When Jesus taught his disciples, grown men, he talked about how to treat people doing ministry - and when he did he referred to them as “my little ones“. God is not colour bind in fact he really likes colours. But, he can’t see pumpkins, He only sees his “little ones“. He knows you, he loves you and you’re suppose to be on mission. That’s all I’m going to say about fruit for now.