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Busy or Fruitful: Choosing God’s Better Way

Busy or Fruitful: Choosing God’s Better Way

Last updated on: August 9, 2026 at 5:00 am by Michele Gunn

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Busy or Fruitful: Choosing God’s Better Way 2026-08-08T07:44:42-05:00 Michele Gunn

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Modern life rewards busyness. It seems that productiveness, even without true fruitfulness, is rewarded. It starts in school. There is an award for perfect attendance. Just showing up allows a child to stand out and be celebrated. Childhood sports has progressed to everyone receiving a participation trophy. As kids age, parents keep their kids busy with after school activities. Kids often lose the skill of just being.

It continues well into adulthood. Adults have lists to check off tasks. There are even apps for that! We often compare all we have to do and what we have accomplished, but rarely compare the fruit we bear. This modern life rewards busyness with truly acknowledging fruitfulness. But does God? Know that you are equipped for what God has called you to do. God has given you gifts. Trust them. Don’t choose to be busy. Instead, choose to be fruitful.

The Trap of Constant Busyness

Constant busyness is a trap. You can get stuck in it and then it is hard to escape. You obligate yourself and overcommit to things that may have sounded great in the moment, but really just tend to deplete your resources without any real fruit. Before long you are dealing with exhaustion. Then that sneaky comparison creeps in and you may start to feel like you are not doing enough or it is not done right. You begin to wonder if you have taken the right path. You start to second guess all of your choices. Instead of taking a break and stepping back, you add something more to your plate.

This is our productivity culture. It is “the societal belief that your worth is directly tied to your measurable output.” You will be constantly driven to do more regardless of what it actually produces. Burn out, become disengaged and possibly even illness are all things you may face. You need to be reminded that you have value just because you are who God created you to be. Someone not caught in the trap will need you to slow down and practice self-care and to care for your whole wellbeing.

Martha and Mary: Busy or Fruitful

Luke Chapter 10:38-42 tells us the story of two sisters named Martha and Mary. As Jesus entered the village, Martha welcomed Him. Mary sat down by Jesus and listened to him speak while Martha was busy serving Him. Martha was frustrated that she was doing all of the work and asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Instead, Jesus says, “There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

Being with Jesus comes before working for Jesus. Although Martha was taking care of Jesus’ needs, Mary was actually gaining fruit by listening to Jesus and actually being present with Him. Take note of this interaction. Before you plan your day, consider whether the actions are just busy or will they be fruitful. Choose to spend time with Jesus.

Fruit Comes From Abiding

John Chapter 15 talks about fruit. Verses one through three state, ““I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.” Fruit isn’t manufactured. It is created from the branch that is attached to the vine. It grows naturally from staying connected to Christ. Also, god prunes so that more fruit can grow.

The fruit cannot grow unless the branch remains in the vine. This holds true for us. Remember that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. Your fruit ultimately comes from the vine grower, God. So, it stands to reason that when we abide in Jesus, we are connected to God and we can then bear fruit.

Replace Hurry with Purpose

Instead of hurrying to get things done, consider living and working with purpose. There is true meaning to what you are called to do. Ask yourself these questions:

What is God asking me to release?
What truly matters?
What is God calling me to do?

There are people in my life who ask me a specific question when I get excited about adding one more thing to my life. That question is, “What are you going to give up?” Take time to reflect on what you are doing, what you would like to do and what you feel called to do. Create a scheduled time to do just that. How often you do it is up to you. Pray first and ask God to guide you and your decisions. This is intentionality at work. Start by creating a Personal Values Statement. This will help guide you in living your purpose. Also, don’t forget to slow down and enjoy the journey!

Rise. Align. Shine.

Rise: As John Chapter 15 reminds us, alignment produces lasting fruit. If you need help or guidance there are many resources available to help you. If you do not truly know who you are, take the time to figure it out. Afterall, you are worth it. God created an amazing human when He created you! Yes, you do have flaws just like every other human, but you are a unique individual that this world needs. Get to know your strengths, your talents and your desires. Determine how you fit best in this world and take action!.

Align: Once you understand who you are, you can build on that relationship with God. Really get to know Him. Spend time in prayer asking Him questions about your purpose and the role He has equipped you for. Also spend time listening. Just be with God. You might not hear someone talking to you, but you may feel a presence and understand a message. Of course you also need to ensure your actions are aligned with your beliefs. What is God calling you to do? Act on it.

Shine: This is the point when you begin to live your purpose. Finally, you may see the fruit of your labor. Do know that many times seeds are scattered and you may not see the fruits. Do know that they are there. Influencing or impacting one person can lead to them creating fruit that you have planted.

Bear Fruit, not Busyness

Finally, ask yourself this question, “Are you simply busy or are you becoming fruitful?” Matthew 28:19 directs us, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,” This is what you are both called and equipped to do.

In the last chapter of my book, ‘Rise. Align. Sine. Living Boldly in Faith, Purpose and Joy,“ I talk about:

Surrender:. It is hard, but it is necessary to live the life God has planned for you’

Faith is Faith Lived: Become a living testimony.

Empower Others: this is the instruction in Matthew 28:19-20.

Daily Choices: The journey of life encompasses many small moments. You can begin to bear fruit one, daily choice at a time.

You are called by name. Choose God and live forward in your faith, not in busyness, to bear fruit as God intended.

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Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, yet I will rejoice in the Lord. What will God make my feet like?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The feet of a deer A gazelle's legs Lions' paws Eagles' wings