The Time is Right

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
THE TIME IS RIGHT
Prov 11:30
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and he who wins souls is wise.
NIV
The question is am I a tree of life. Do I have fruit that become a tree of life for others to imbibe or feast upon? I have certainly that made that point in talking about the fruit of the Spirit and how any fruit I produce is not for me but for others to come along and pick it to enjoy. They are the ones who benefit from any love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self-control I might exhibit in my life as a result of being planted by the stream of living waters. It always comes down to the same question from God. Do I live my life looking how the Kingdom of God can benefit me, or do I live to benefit the Kingdom of God. It would appear this proverb asks that question again. If I am one of the righteous, than I will have fruit and that fruit is a tree of life for others to benefit from especially because of the second part here, that I will also be wise in winning souls which certainly benefits them, and the Kingdom. Although I have brought a few people into the Kingdom I am not sure I could be called a soul winner. Have I slowed down in my efforts to win souls? Maybe I have only switched gears and approach this task from a different perspective. Instead of that exuberant over the top out loud in your face testifying about God, I am trying to use the written word to reach out to more people than I could personal contact. Or is that just an excuse for not being out there talking more about Jesus Christ and the need for repentance and salvation? Surely I have a message about the fruit. Surely I have a message about how everyone should live for the benefit of the Kingdom rather than self. Surely I have a storehouse of messages that need to be brought to others, mostly believers, but also to those who do not believe yet. Why am I stalling? What am I waiting for? Maybe it is because I do not feel worthy to bring these messages forward because of my own failures. Is that the devil trying to silence me? Am I just too lazy to put forth the effort? No, I think I am just being deliberate in making sure each move is directed by God. I do not want to rush ahead of him, nor do I want to lag behind, I hope am I just keeping in step with him and he has it all under control as to when, where and how I should get these messages out, being both a tree of life and a soul winner. His timing is right.