Fruitful Lifeናሙና

The most important prerequisite for a fruitful life

First read Gal. 3:26-27, John 15:5, and Isaiah 57:20.

Robby Naish (58, 24-time windsurfing world champion) describes in his movie, The Longest Wave, how he and his surfer friends search for the longest wave in the world. The documentary impressively shows what Naish and many other professional athletes are looking for: meaning. Something even bigger, even better, an even greater achievement. As I marvel at the landscapes and settings in the documentary, I can't help but feel that a certain restlessness is present (Isaiah 57:20).

We need meaning in life. At some point in life, the question of meaning arises for everyone. What is found in documentaries about and in statements by successful people, we also find in our own little world. Which goals are you pursuing? If you look at the point in time when you will have achieved all of them, how will you feel? Are you really finding the fulfilment you're looking for in your goals, or will you then ask yourself the question: "And now what?"

Your being, your life, and your pursuits are justified by the fact that you are. To have achieved something will always satisfy you only for a short time. It is important that you find your origin. The root of your being (Psalm 1). Why you are in this world has a reason, and you will only find it in dialogue with the One who brought you into being. So our overriding goal should be to first of all become grounded in His presence in our lives and to become aware that He created us out of love. No matter what we do, we are loved, and we are good just as we are. With this certainty, this identity, we can go on, live our calling, and bear fruit.

In conclusion, there are two approaches to defining what makes a fruitful life. In one variant, we define our worth through the fruits of our labour. In the other one, we first obtain our identity at the cross. Each and every day anew, because it is so difficult for us to comprehend: we have worth because we are. Because our Creator wanted us this way. Through Jesus' death on the cross, we have the Spirit of God in us. When we know our identity in God, we begin to see through God's eyes (Galatians 3:26). We thereby acquire a lightness in dealing with our goals, and the Lord will give us success. For this, we need to fix our eyes on Him. And out of this awareness we go out into the world and, with God's help, shape our life so that it bears fruit (John 15:5).

Next Step:
Where do I not yet experience this freedom of God? Where do I not yet experience this connection with God? Write down the points and talk about them with God and a good friend.