Luke 6:44

New International Version (NIV)

Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.

For mediation

Can I go political today? Sometimes, we cannot help but relate the political shenanigans to our Christian lives and draw lessons from them.

There is a storm blowing over the United States of America. This storm will test the heart of every citizen of that country, with consequences for the entire world. For it is a shaking of the tree to know its scent, as my people, the Ashantis, would say. Is the aroma going to be sweet or bitter?

It is a shaking that will reveal the very heart of those who profess Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is time to come to terms with what fills our hearts (Luke 6:45). What is it before Christ?

Somehow, the political scene of America is teaching the world a lesson. It has great significance for the Church innocuously. But spiritually, it is a revelation of the body of Christ. Who is part of the body of Christ?

Unfortunately, this revelation may not be noticeable by many of us. However, no one can escape the consequences of this big choice come November 2016. But should it shock anyone, then?

Jesus said, “For every tree is known by its own fruit. Men do not gather figs from thorns. They do not gather grapes from thistles.” 

So, let no one kid yourself. The tree America plants today will be the one from which it would pick. Unfortunately, it has collateral damage for the rest of the world.

If Obama was a tough pick for you, America, you have seen nothing yet! The Trump Train has rolled in, and it is making stops at each of your doors—your hearts. The big question for you is this. Are you going to be on board or not?

But is your alternative any better? They have built the Hillary train through years of careful planning and positioning like a master chess player. It has gathered a lot of “things” along the way till now. Your assignment is to discern what kind of “things” they are. It will help you know the train for which you are buying a ticket. So, it will be for Train Hillary or Train Trump; or are you going to buy any at all? One thing is almost clear to me.

Your November choice, America, is a test of who you are. It is a test that will draw from the deep well of each heart where nobody sees, but the Lord. What kind of water is going to come out of your heart?

For the world at large, we helplessly look to see the tree we would go out to pick from after November 2016 will be one or the other of the two choices before America today. Is it going to be from Tree Hilary or Tree Trump? The proposal is not exciting. Or is it?

Europe has recently tasted the consequences of the Arab Spring—the overflow of refugees and how to deal with it. The situation is an ongoing saga, but the result is obvious. Will Europe be the same anymore?

As children of God, we face a daily barrage of choices in our lives that reveal the tree we are—Christian or otherwise. What kind of fruit does our tree bear—good fruit or rotten fruit (Luke 6:43). The fruit we bear expresses the nutrients we fill our hearts with—godly or worldly (45). Why then are we so obsessed with the world? Why have we allowed its choices to influence our choices?

As I consider these events, do you know what lesson they leave with me? Christ is coming very soon! But are the saints of God prepared to meet Him?

May the Lord give us a spirit of discernment to prepare us to choose what He points to us.

Shalom