fruitful
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f you take the time to stop and look, to truly see, you may be willing to look away from where all the rest of the travelers are heading and in the distance you may catch a glimpse of dark, rich, cultivated soil. Once you stop and look, it will cause an interruption not only in your own life, but also in the lives of others that are traveling on the hardened path who are unwilling to look. Picture stepping off the hardened path, looking closer and finding soil that is softer, yet still shallow and rocky. Do not look back at the hardened path as a place of safety, rather look in the distance and take another step. This soil is softer still and seems more fruitful as little buds are sprouting; you also notice weeds. You stoop down and pull some weeds but notice the abundance of them and become frustrated. Feeling defeated, will you turn back toward the rocky ground? As you look again at the fruitful soil, will you deny the yearnings within? No one said it would be easy getting off the hardened path, making your way over the rocky terrain and traversing weeds but you persisted. Standing at the edge of the dark, rich soil, you slip off your shoes and take a daring step. Your feet sink in and at first it is uncomfortable but then it becomes enjoyable. This makes you smile and laugh. The effort was worth it! How does this relate to your mind, body, spirit and food? Mind: Our mind is a battlefield of thoughts. “We must destroy arguments and every lofty opinion that raises itself up against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive…” (2 Corinthians 10:5). If we do not capture our thought life, un-truth and lies will lead us back to the hardened path and we become unfruitful. Remember, fruitfulness is the goal. We need to set our mind on things above and “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). And as we do that we become fruitful, multiplying peace, hope and joy in the lives of people around us. Body: I tell my patients every day that it is the little consistent things they do over time that either cause health or disease. The food we eat – the amount of rest - the amount we exercise and the amount of water we consume daily has a cumulative effect on our bodies. Persist in harmful activities and disease is the outcome. Persist in the healthful activities and health occurs. You need persistence to move from the hardened path to the fruitful soil. It is sometimes difficult but it is worth every effort. Remember health is not a gift; it is a choice made each day. Make fruitful choices and enjoy a bountiful harvest!