Faith and Apples

by Pastor Steph

Marty, the girls and I went to Glen Orchard last week to pick apples. With a hint of autumn’s chill in the air, I decided it was time for warm apple crisp and what better way to feel good about eating dessert than by first picking the apples. When we arrived at the orchard, it was as if every person in Fargo had the exact same idea to make apple crisp! We weren’t alone. The place was full of apple pickers young and old, some came with buckets and baskets, while others just stuffed their pockets.

However, we were surprised to see that all of the low hanging apples had been picked over. If we wanted apples, we would need a ladder and a tall one at that. The only fruit left was too high to reach. Should we go home and get the ladder? Was it worth it?

I can’t help but think that my life of faith is sometimes like that trip to the orchard. I can go into each new day expecting to be filled full of good things without anticipating the hard work involved. That is, after I have picked all the low lying fruit, it takes effort and energy to keep going and yet that’s where my soul is most often satisfied. When I do the hard work of climbing up the ladder to reach for God, I am met by a God who has already climbed down the ladder to reach me. A God whose wisdom is higher than we can imagine and whose love is deeply rooted for us in a tree that stood on top of Mt. Calvary.

It’s easy to go through the motions of faith, but harder to do the work. The work of stretching and reaching beyond myself and my own understanding; of quiet listening to God’s teaching and allowing God’s truth to fill me full of the good things God has for me. Yes, this business of faith, committing our whole lives to the Lord of the Harvest takes effort and energy. In the words of the Apostle Paul, “Take courage and do not give up.” Is it worth it? Absolutely! The apples at the top make the very best apple crisp!

Grateful,

-- Pastor Steph

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