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by Joyce Meyer
Busyness or fruitfulness—that is the question… Is your life full of meaningful accomplishments or just busy activities?
It’s easy for us to be involved in many different efforts and good causes, but the truth is, busyness does not guarantee fruitfulness. It also does not confirm that we are in God’s will. It is the quality of what our lives produce that determines whether or not we are truly fruitful.
One good way to help determine if you are being fruitful or just busy is by asking yourself some questions like: Am I spending my time doing what helps fulfill my purpose? Am I doing what I really desire to do? Am I using my God-given gifts and talents? Am I being controlled and pressured by circumstances and expectations of others? Do I see tangible results—good fruit—from my busyness?
Jesus said that He chose us so that we would bear much fruit.1 So what is it that keeps us from being fruitful? Let’s take a look at some of the things that encourage or discourage fruitfulness in our lives.
The Source of Fruitfulness
Being fruitful begins with putting God first. As we spend time with Him, He will direct us and give us peace about what we should be doing. John 15:5 says, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. Our relationship with God is the most important thing in our lives.
In Luke 10:38-42 we read the story of Martha and Mary. Martha was very busy serving, even serving Jesus. She got angry because her sister sat at Jesus’ feet listening to Him talk instead of being busy helping her serve. Jesus’ response to Martha was that Mary had chosen the best thing to do at that time—sit and listen to Him.
Years ago I was a lot like Martha. I was constantly busy doing something, and eventually it had a bad effect on my relationship with God and others—especially with my husband. At that time I didn’t know how to relax and have fun, so it made me very angry when others did. For instance, when Dave would stop to play and have fun with the kids, I would get very upset. Why? Because he wasn’t busy accomplishing things like me.
I had to learn not only how to relax and enjoy life but also to make enjoying time with God the most important thing in my life. If you and I want to be fruitful, we need to practice being like Mary and make spending time with Jesus our number one priority.
Good vs. Best
I believe that Satan uses the pressure of busyness to keep us from fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives. In many cases we become distracted by things that are good, even “Christian activities,” but they are not God’s best for us. In order for you and me to avoid this trap, we need to look to God and ask Him for wisdom and strength. He will give us the grace to make wise choices concerning the things we should or shouldn’t be doing.
In Philippians 1:10 we are exhorted to …learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences]…. We can get so busy that we don’t even recognize the thing we should be doing that is really important. We must learn and know what our purpose is and not allow distractions to divert us from it.
I like what John Maxwell says about knowing where to focus your time and energy to assure fruitfulness: “I realized that I needed to focus 80 percent of my time, energy and resources on my areas of strength.... The more you stay in your strength zone, the greater your productivity [fruitfulness] and the greater your ability to reach your potential.”2
The truth is, I could stay busy counseling people all the time. I could also talk on the phone all day to nice people who want to talk to me. I could even stay busy doing meetings for all kinds of organizations and ministries, helping them succeed and bear fruit. But that is not my main purpose. Yes, at times I should talk with others and help them succeed in their efforts, but I must focus on what God has called me to do. I must do what is going to bear fruit for the ministry God has called me to—that is my purpose.
Are You Enjoying Your Life?
One biblical way for us to know if we are bearing good fruit is to examine what kind of fruit our lives are producing. If we are in God’s will, following His Spirit, we will produce the fruit of His Spirit. Galatians 5:22,23 says the fruit of the Spirit is, …love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control…. If you really want to know if you’re operating in the fruit of God’s Spirit, ask a trusted friend or family member what kind of things they see operating in you.
Another way you and I can know we are being fruitful is that we will have a sense of accomplishment rather than frustration. I spent many years being out of balance—busy but not fruitful, frustrated and under pressure. Thankfully, God has taught me how to live a balanced life. As you and I learn to direct our time and energy toward the things God has given us to do, we will enjoy our lives more and experience a true sense of accomplishment that only comes from being fruitful.
Destined to Bear Fruit
God’s plan for you is to fulfill your destiny, which is to bear much fruit. But if you don’t make a decision to be fruitful, the devil will keep you from it. And he will do it simply by getting you entangled in all kinds of things that keep you busy and wear you out, but are not fruitful.
When you are too busy to spend time with God and the people around you, you are too busy. That’s when you need to make a quality decision to do whatever is necessary to make some changes. Seek God for the grace and wisdom to make the needed changes in your life. He will help you make wise decisions each day and set your priorities right—beginning with the priority of spending time with Him. As you learn to keep God first and exercise godly wisdom in decision making, you will bear much fruit and glorify your Father in heaven. 
(1) See John 15:16. (2) John C. Maxwell, Today Matters (New York, NY: Warner Faith, 2004), pp. 69,70, 73.
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