Is Your Fruit Organic?
About three weeks ago, my wife and I (along with our three children) moved to the city of Sandy Springs, a northern metropolitan suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. As most families often do, we decided to take a quick drive through our new neighborhood, and discover where all of the key checkpoints (i.e., gas stations, playgrounds, Mexican restaurants, etc.) were located.
That’s right; no neighborhood is complete without a good Mexican restaurant!
After just a few minutes up the road, we made a huge discovery. One that quickly made my wife smile, but made me grip the steering wheel in worry. There it was, right in our backyard:
A Whole Foods Market.
For those of you reading this today that are not familiar with Whole Foods Market, it is currently the world’s leader in natural and organic foods, with more than 270 stores located in North America and the United Kingdom. For nearly 30 years, this retailer has served as a vital tool in aiding millions of people in maintaining their health and wellness through greater food safety and dietary options.
So why would this make me grip the steering wheel in worry, you ask?
Well, (if I can be totally honest with you)…
…I’ve always been slightly afraid of the word ORGANIC.
Although it has become the rave of so many of my friends and peers, I just knew that something with the word ORGANIC in front of it would be a one-way ticket to the restroom. (insert big laugh here)
Not that I have ever been against healthy eating, I just refused to become one of those health food junkies that spends an half hour reading the back of every product in the grocery aisle. Be honest; all of us have at least one friend that we sort of hate to invite over our house for dinner, simply because they insist on telling us why everything we made for them to eat, is now (all of a sudden) bad to their health.
So on yesterday, I mustered enough courage to visit the Whole Foods Market store near our house, and as soon as I walked in, I realized I had walked into a whole new world. I must have been wearing a “Hi, I’m New Here” look on my face, because shortly after I entered inside, a store employee approached me and asked whether I had been to the store before.
I told him that I was indeed new to the store, and then immediately, school was in session.
He took me over to the fruit section and began to tell me the importance of purchasing and eating ORGANICALLY grown fruit. As he pointed to the hundreds of apples, oranges, grapes, strawberries, and other fresh fruit they had to offer there, he discussed how none of their fruit had been subjected to the harmful PESTICIDES most fruit farmers use to prevent insects from ruining their crops.
I decided to play devil’s advocate with him, so I asked, “What’s so wrong with pesticides, if their primary purpose is to prevent fruit from being ruined?” I just knew that question would trip him up.
Well, it didn’t.
He answered and told me that while pesticides prevent insects from ruining crops, the chemicals used to create them are not only toxic and harmful to humans, they also serve as fruit growth regulators, which simply means they promote artificial growth within fruit, often denying it of the nutrients it could provide when grown naturally. Or as he so eloquently called it, ORGANICALLY.
I’m sure by now you must be wondering if this is a disguised plug for a grocery store, but I promise you, it is not. The purpose behind this devotional is so much more important.
In Galatians 5:22-23, these words are found: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
After my rather in-depth lesson at the grocery store, I began to wonder later that day if at times the fruit we bear as believers today is grown organically…or whether it is covered with pesticides?
Sunday after Sunday, millions of believers all across the world are provided messages of hope and faith that are heard, but never practiced. Now more than ever before, we are encountering a community of faith that desires for God to protect them from the insects of this life, but will not do what is necessary to make sure that the fruit they bear can withstand their attacks beyond Sunday morning.
Although many hate to admit it, a large majority of religious television and church conferences today are unfortunately specializing in providing the Body of Christ with PESTICIDES; whatever it takes to keep believers happy and hopeful, without responsibility.
But when it comes to those who truly desire to mature and produce the kind of fruit that will last, fruit that as this passage in Galatians points out, no law can stand up against, the checkout line is very short.
Family, living a life that is pleasing to God is not easy.
I apologize on behalf of every leader who told you that it was.
Today, I challenge you to check out what kind of fruit your life is bearing.
Be mindful of what kind of fruit growth regulators you are listening to.
God is looking for organic fruit. Authentic fruit.
Examine yours today.
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Category: Life & Faith
Great insight and challenge. When I continually stay connected to the vine (John 15), then the fruit I bear will be organic – his life flowing through me. Man, if I can be rid of the pesticides of selfishness and pride, I can bear more good, organic fruit and not the fruit that is laden with artificial growth. Again, thanks for the challenge.
Milan really enjoyed this one. I posted it to my FB cause I have several friends right off that I know this will speak to them. This is not really related to devotional but thought I would share. I have just experienced that same reception from our Organic Food store. Being considerable over weight I already knew that they would probably look at me so I was braced. Then I knew if they knew what really brought me in they would have a chuckle. So you say what prompted me to go in… looking for greens for my Tortoise, yes I said my knew Salcuta Tortoise. So Bama is eating organically but I am know eating organically grown greens. You know I feel there is a story here.
Well you got all that just cause I wanted to say great devotional…
4 HIM I SERVE
Rom. 12:1-2(M. B.)
Donna agranny4
Really enjoyed reading this article forwarded to me by a friend. Very precise insights. I especially liked your comparison of religious TV and conferences offering pesticides, instead of showing the believer how to grow naturally (organically). I will bookmark this site, and give it a read now and then. Look forward to buying your book as well.
Lord Bless You!
Really enjoyed this article. Fits in perfectly with some things I’m thinking about these days. Thank you so much.
What a word…what a word!
Thanks for taking time to share your words of wisdom. You challenged me today – causing me to challenge myself to produce “organic” fruit.
You wrote:
“…a large majority of religious television and church conferences today are unfortunately specializing in providing the Body of Christ with PESTICIDES; whatever it takes to keep believers happy and hopeful, without responsibility.”
This is so true of those that adhere to the attractional model. Keep sharing bro!
Very good perspective. I love the way of teaching with parables and analogies. Making the gospel real in the everyday life of Christians I believe is essential to our growth. While it is important to know and learn from the Bible I believe it is equally important to make it applicable to everday life. This word while foundationally sound does not compromise the integrity of the scripture you cited. So many times the Word is used in a way that patronizes believers and just leaves them feeling good after it’s hearing but does not convict or make them aware of the responsibility that comes with hearing and understanding the Word. You said, “Sunday after Sunday, millions of believers all across the world are provided messages of hope and faith that are heard, but never practiced. Now more than ever before, we are encountering a community of faith that desires for God to protect them from the insects of this life, but will not do what is necessary to make sure that the fruit they bear can withstand their attacks beyond Sunday morning.” Not a truer statement could be made. We have to practice being doers after the hearing.
ahhhh, nice. and if i can piggy back on what marvin says… the organic, authentic fruit comes when we abide in Him. when we abide in Him, He will abide in us. abide=dwell, settle in, stay. thanks for this!
Intersting that on Monday of this week, I wrote the following in my daytimer:
Galatians 5:22-23….”fruit of the spirit – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. This scripture has been on my mind this week so this article is the eartly confirmation of what God wants me to focus on.
P.S. Welcome to Sandy Springs!! I live there and love it and enjoy shopping at Whole Foods!
So insightful! My Brother, this message was so refreshing to my spirit and also encourages me that what we do as “God’s Messengers” is not done in vain! I personally will continue to partake of the fruits of your “Labor of Love”; as in “God’s Unconditional Love”! Be Blessed and may you continue to allow the “Holy Spirit” to guide you and also may you continue to walk in Almighty God’s Divine Will; nothing more, nothing less and nothing else!
Unconditionally,
James M. Sherrod
aka “The Messenger”
lifethroughgodseyes.ning.com
There is one truth that the whole world need to know especially the world of Christians. Christ changed our lives SO THAT WE change others and that can be done through ‘organic fruits’. the world need the very best love God gave us. thank you
This devotion is so cool! This past month I went in search of Wholefoods Market myself and when I went in I was overwhelmed to say the least. My husband and I have begun to eat “according to our bloodtype” and found so many NEW things there. Who knew (or cared) there were 30 different kinds of olives! Also, this past year I got back in church and have been growing in the Lord – all over again! It’s a fresh look at Galatians and one I relate to very much. Thank you for your insight and shared wisdom.
Because He lives,
Belinda
You had me at “Organic”. But then you took it to a whole ‘nother level! It is so true that the airwaves are flooded with a gospel that is producing mutant believers devoid of significant character traits. Man keep allowing God to inspire you and be a voice that stirs up needful conversations in order to bring us into relevance.
Couldn’t agree with Shannon less. This sure agrees with what has been running through my mind for a couple of months now. Many of us are sure not growing organically but are covered with pesticides and dont have the right nutrients to feed the world therefore the world cannot see the manifestation of the sons of God
I was referred to your website via Streaming Faith Devontionals from my email. SMILE
When I got to your website the picture of Whole Foods Market caught my eye cuz well I have worked for Whole Foods off and on for about 11 1/2 years now. In fact I knew some of the people that helped open the Sandy Springs store back in 2000. Now, I reside in Monterey, CA…..still working for Whole Foods Market.
For real your post regarding organic fruit vs. pesticides made sense and I really enjoyed it. But actually it was your posting on Streaming Faith that REALLY ministered to me this morning.
You were sharing about walking in Faith. Lately it appears everything in my life is in limbo..from a job promotion to getting a copy of my divorce papers! I was lead last week to read Daniel 10, about an angel being delayed in coming to help Daniel. Now I read your devotional about “I feel like I have gone as far as I can possibly go….WITHOUT FAITH”
True dat, I have thus far used my talents and skills so there is a comfort zone. Its when I steps out of that comfort zone and starts to work the word. You know calling those things that are not as tho they were, essentially walking in faith. KNOWING that it has already been done in the spiritual just has not manifested in the physical, amen. This is where the rubber meets the road and it takes GUTS to be a Christian. And brotha I am sooo there right now.
Today I press into God more than ever knowing that he has “got this” just rest in me, abide in me and all will be well. Just like the Shunamite woman telling Gahzai (spelling, I know) when asked how things are and her response was, “all is well” I will put one foot in front of the other and move forward…..walking in faith and relying on God NOT my talents and skills, amen.
Thanks.
I Love to read your insights this one makes so much sense and i can relate. today i will look at my fruit is it filled with pesticides.