It would have been easy to miss. Tucked away beneath a mass of oversized leaves, a gourd was quietly growing in the vegetable patch of a local botanical garden. While my daughters and I spent the morning painting, I was drawn to this unlikely subject.

It reminds me of the story of Jesus and the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14). From a distance, the tree looked healthy, full of leaves and promise. Yet when Jesus went looking for fruit, he found none. Through this striking picture Jesus challenges our tendency to focus on appearances. He is less concerned with whether we look as though we have everything together and more concerned with what is growing beneath the surface.

The invitation of John 15 is to simply remain in Jesus, staying connected to the Vine. From that place of abiding, we trust that disciples will be made, that we will become fruitful.

Fruitfulness isn’t simply measured by ‘results’. It is reflected in the way we walk alongside others as the Holy Spirit grows his character in us. Paul describes this as the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5.

With that in mind, here are three key things to remember as you read the stories in this Discipleship Weekly series:

1. The fruit is grown by the Spirit 

Paul provides a powerful contrast to the fruit of the Spirit – a life ‘of the flesh’ (Galatians 5:19-21). He challenges what it means to live in our own strength, whether our goal is pursuing our own desires or trying to follow God. Doing either in this way leads only to self-gratification and draws us away from the reality of a beautiful life lived with God. Paul gives us a clear warning of the consequences if we try to do things our own way. Instead, as we live in step with the Spirit, following his lead, these fruits naturally develop: ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control’ (verses 22-23).

2. The fruit develops over time 

In a world that expects instant results, it’s tempting to look at following Jesus in the same way. I wonder why I still struggle to love someone, or why I am still impatient, as if I should have it figured out already. My drive to be ‘sorted’ quickly leads to frustration with myself – and the suspicion that God feels that too. Yet fruit grows gradually. As we continue to establish our roots in Jesus, we can trust that over time God will grow these amazing things in us.

3. The fruit is given to be shared

Fruit brings nourishment and life. These qualities are not simply a way of measuring how well we are following Jesus. They are gifts God grows in us for the good of others. As we get alongside people where God has placed us, the Spirit of God forms in us the kind of beautiful character that brings life to those around us. 

I leave you again with the image of the gourd under the leaves. Whilst the leaves show life, the true promise of nourishment lies beneath. Though it may not be fully formed it is growing, bursting with potential, ready to be enjoyed by those who get to taste it.

As you read the stories in this ‘Fruit in action’ series, look for that hidden growth in your life: the Spirit quietly producing fruit that blesses the people around us.