What I gained was more roses and thorns popping me in the face every time I tried to get into my front door. I wanted to enjoy the bush but not at the risk of putting an eye out. The rose bush was not serving me well in the position it rested so I dug it up and replaced the area with beautiful white stones.

There was a tree Jesus encountered one morning. He was hungry and noticed a fig tree off in the distance full of leaves. Upon closer inspection of the tree He noticed it was fruitless, (Matthew 21:18-19). In other words, the tree was of no service to Him. The fig tree was at the least supposed to have tiny edible fruit during this time of year, instead it was empty - full of foliage.

How hurtful this must be to our Heavenly Father, our personal vinedresser, to look upon us with careful inspection only to discover we are pretty to the eye but lack substance, lacking productivity and good works, (fruit). The story ends with the fig tree withering. Now, ponder these two scenarios: one producing but out of place, one in place but not producing.

Being in the place He would have you to be is just as critical as doing the good He would have you to do. Have you checked your crop lately, your fruit; your good works that is? Remember, He created you to do the good works He planned for you long ago, (Ephesians 2:10).

The key phrase is you do. We have a responsibility to produce much fruit. Check your crop; are you full of promising fruit or just pretty to the eye?