January 14: Does One’s Life Give Evidence of an Encounter?
Fruit suggests something far more organic, dynamic, and nourishing than mere ‘results.’ Martin Laird
Gregg’s Reflection
One of the questions that stopped me in my tracks was Richard Rohr’s: Does one’s life give any evidence of an encounter with God? Growing up in the Bible Belt, I saw plenty of church attendance but not much transformation. It wasn’t until I met Pastor Vernon Luckey—whose relationship with Christ was unmistakably real—that I saw faith lived out in a way that drew me in. His authenticity led me to trust Christ, be baptized into Christian faith, and ever since I’ve hoped my life might also give such evidence.
For years after my baptism, I was driven by the fear that I “hadn’t done enough” for God. That fear came into sharp relief during a turbulent airplane landing into Denver when the thought hit me: I can’t die yet—I haven’t done enough. I was afraid to face God because I was still measuring my worth by my works. Over time, my spiritual journey has transformed my life so that people who knew me in business might hardly recognize me now.
Kathleen Singh spent decades doing hospice work. She wrote three books, The Grace in Living came after The Grace in Dying and The Grace in Aging. All profound works pointing to the fruit of a life lived with God.
Her reflections on transformation capture the kind of fruit I now pray for—fruit that is organic, life-giving, and born from deep encounters with the living God. True fruit carries the seeds of new life, offering nourishment and hope to others, not because we’ve tried harder, but because God has changed us from within.
Scripture
Bear fruit worthy of repentance.
Matthew 3:8
Each tree is known by its own fruit.
Luke 6:44
Works are to faith as exhaling is to inhaling. They complete the gift of salvation. Good works are not what we do to win salvation; they are what we do to demonstrate and enjoy it.
RENOVARE Bible Notes on Ephesians 2:10
Ancient Quotes
The Christian shows what he believes by what he does. Faith and knowledge are proved not by words but by deeds; for a tree is known by its fruit.
Clement of Alexandria, Stromata (Miscellanies), Book VII, Chapter 15
The faith which justifies is faith that works through love. For it is not enough to believe; our life must proclaim our belief. Let us be recognized by our fruits, not by our words.
John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew, Homily 10
Modern Quotes
Fruit suggests something far more organic, dynamic, and nourishing than mere ‘results.’ The fruit of practice is compassion, born of the fragrant wound of solidarity with all that is.
Martin Laird, Ocean of Light, p. 128
Fruits of Transformation:
Attachment gives way to appreciation
Politeness elevates to kindness
Honor elevates to integrity
Believing gives way to awe
Hope gives way to gratitude
Self-consciousness melts in the intimacy of self-forgetfulness
Unworthiness ceases in grateful humility
Judgment evolves into discernment
Confusion gives way to clarity
Separation dissolves in a glowing experience of unity”
Kathleen Singh, The Grace in Living, p. 83
Journaling Prompts
- How has your life changed as a result of encountering God?
- What new steps could you take to deepen that ongoing transformation?
- In what ways can others see the Spirit of Christ living and working in and through you?
Lord, let my life bear fruit that reflects Your Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control. Teach me what is mine to do and give me grace to do it faithfully. Pray that I might be drawn to bear spiritual fruit.
👉 Go deeper into this week’s theme:
Read the full Week 2 reflection: Bearing Fruit/Gifts of the Spirit