FAITH CAPSULE: Attraction we display in the name of celebrating God is like a fig tree that attracts its creator without anything to show for.

Mark 11:12-14, 1 Peter 1:13-21

Among the ways of seeking God is celebrating God for who He is. A God that is jealous will undoubtedly appreciate being celebrated by His creation. With understanding, it is safe to say celebrating the birth of Jesus is seeking Jesus. The words of God demands, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”(Matthew 6:33) As one that celebrates the birth of Jesus, do you actually understand it that celebrating the birth of Jesus is seeking God? The word of God encourage, “…seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29) It is always worth to make our seeking God a fruitful experience and not just a something of attraction. Attraction we display in the name of celebrating God is like a fig tree that attracts its creator without anything to show for. This brings to mind the story of a fig tree that attracted Jesus without any fruit to deliver to its creator.The fig tree perhaps was the only tree in the region that was mouth watering. Its leaves were an indication that its fruit was delicious and palatable. Jesus created the fig tree for a purpose. The fig tree was not only created to be pleasing to the eye nor to be the best looking among the many trees in the garden. It is written, “And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the seasons for figs.” (Mark 11:13) All of Jesus’ actions, reactions and words were meant to communicate to the people both during His time on earth and after His ascension. How much attention are you devoting to the Word of God? Jesus was not only displaying His power when He approached the unfruitful fig tree by virtue of the inviting leaves it displayed. Jesus was communicating a message through the demonstration of power. Christianity or Christmas celebration is not just about adornment and Sunday-noise-making. Christianity is about Jesus reality, and Jesus reality is fruitfulness. Do not let your adornment be merely outward by the arrangement that is putting on fine apparel or beautifying your surroundings with Christmas lights. Avoid being a side attraction. Whenever your attractiveness is used for purposes other than having communion with the Creator, God may deal with you by showing you the futility of your vanity. All that Jesus wants is to see your fruitfulness.

Prayer for today: Ask Him to deliver you from religion into Jesus reality.