Honeycrisp is my favorite variety of apple. I grew up in Washington state where the Honeycrisps are large, crisp, and juicy — overflowing with flavor rivaled by few other varieties. I recently learned something fascinating about Honeycrisp apples: they are self-sterile. What does that mean? It means that a Honeycrisp tree in isolation from other apple trees cannot bear fruit. It requires the presence of other apple trees for pollination to occur. Interestingly, pollination does not need to come from other Honeycrisp trees, but can come from nearly any variety, including crab apples!
As followers of Jesus, we can relate to Honeycrisp trees. When isolated and disconnected, we do not receive the nourishment necessary to carry on to maturity and, ultimately, bear fruit. It is necessary for us to be in the presence of others who love Jesus. It also requires that we assume a posture of humility to receive.
In the same way that Honeycrisp trees can be pollinated from many other varieties, we ought to be surrounding ourselves with brothers and sisters from a variety of Christian traditions. My tendency is to surround myself only with other Honeycrisp trees. Doing so means I miss out on the variety of ways in which Jesus is moving amongst his people (even in the lives of crab apples!)
Do you find yourself in isolation today? Reach out to just one friend to talk about how you are doing. The influence of even one other person can impact our lives forever.
Father, thank you for making me part of a large and diverse family. Grant me the wisdom to know how to continue deepening my Christian friendships so that we continue to encourage and strengthen one another, whatever the circumstances.
Throughout This Day: Pray for your Christian friends as you think of them, and reach out to one or two of the most isolated ones, just to catch up.
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