I have a mango tree in my backyard, but it hasn’t produced many mangos in the past few years.  As I looked for the cause, I recognized several issues that I need to address.  First, the mango tree is overshadowed by a larger tree nearby.  This larger tree robs it of the sun it needs to grow.  Another issue is that the water that my mango tree needs is being absorbed by the larger shade tree’s roots before my mango tree can get what it needs.  This is something that happens underground and is unseen, but it has an effect on my mango tree’s ability to produce fruit. Finally, the minerals in the soil are being absorbed by the shade tree that produces nothing and keeps my mango tree from thriving.  If I’m going to have the mangos I crave, I need to remove the shade tree that is stealing all that my mango tree needs.

 I see the problem of my mango tree as a parable for our lives.  We all have “shade trees” that are robbing us from growing into all that God intends us to be.  These “shade trees" are idols, replacing or keeping us from enjoying the benefits of the Son.  All too often, we trim them, just as I have trimmed my shade tree over the years. But these things always grow back.  It is necessary to chop those trees down and dig out the roots! That is the only way to keep these idols from coming back and preventing us from bearing the fruit God has for us. 

What is robbing you of what you need to grow into a productive, fruit-bearing Christian? Identifying the problem is only the first step. We must do the hard work of cutting the tree down and not stop until it is totally uprooted, so that we will be free from the negative effects it has had on our lives. Then we will bear good fruit for the Lord.

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