Envision an otherworldly scene where a massive tree is loaded with an abundance of fruit, and each individual fruit represents a real-life Christian on the planet today. Every single Christian alive today is represented by the fruit. Well-known Christian leaders, singers, musicians, teachers, prophets, evangelists, pastors, apostles, laymen, children, workplace Christians, everyday Christians—each and every Christian is on the tree and recognized by name. Then imagine God sending His mightiest hosts to violently shake the tree, much like machines shake trees today to harvest fruit. As you observe this scene, you see tremendous numbers of fruit falling from the tree to a massive tarp-like ground covering intended to gather all that falls from the tree. Naturally, only those ripe fall to the ground.
I suspect you think all that is harvested through the shaking are fruit that is desirable and will be used for kingdom good. But what if the fruit that could not be shaken—the fruit that remained on the tree—is the better fruit because it’s still securely attached to the source of life the tree offers? I believe this is a perfect illustration of what Christians around the world are experiencing today, and have been since early 2020.
I asked you to imagine this as an illustration of how we have been far too quick to claim understanding of what God is doing, and as a result, we’ve gotten it wrong.
Read the rest of this article at pamelachristianministries.com and listen to Faith to Live By with Pamela Christian on the Charisma Podcast Network, where each week I seek to help us discern the times and know how God would have us respond so His kingdom will is done on earth as it is in heaven. {eoa}
Pamela Christian is an award-winning author, speaker and media host. The ordained international minister holds an honorary doctorate of divinity from HSBN International School of Ministry and is certified in apologetics from Biola University. She is a member of the Bethel Leaders Network and hosts the podcast, Faith to Live By, on the Charisma Podcast Network. To learn more, visit pamelachristianministries.com.
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