Just a Plain Old Fruit Bruiser

 

Bob attended his 40th high school class reunion. He had not seen most of his classmates since graduation, so there was a lot of catching up to do. After shaking hands, introducing spouses, and pulling out wallets to display and dote on their tribes, the most popular question asked at class reunions became the topic of the evening. What do you do for a living? For some, it was an opportunity to convince others of the importance of their jobs and to somehow make themselves appear more important than they really were.  For Bob, it was not that at all.  When asked what he had been doing these past years, Bob replied, "I've been bussing tables, "and that was the truth. Bob was proud of it, too. Day in and out, he got up. He went to work dressed in slacks, a nice broadcloth shirt coordinating tie, and Italian leather loafers as he had done for many years, but now he added an apron to his attire on those inevitably messy days. There, he would greet his customers, clean their tables, mop the floors, and occasionally clean up spills.

What he failed to mention to his curious classmates was that he had been an engineer in a fast-paced city for many years, and now he owned a food establishment in his hometown. Indeed, his decision not to fully disclose all that he had been doing must have puzzled his friends. Still, he did not see the need to elaborate on his credentials. Bob saw the work that he did each day as meaningful labor with a definite purpose.  He loved serving others by filling their stomachs, offering words of encouragement, and working to alleviate hunger in his town. Not everyone feels like Bob did about his work. Some view the work they greet each day as unimportant or unfulfilling. For them, the efforts they make seem to produce nothing lasting and hardly seem worth the time spent. 

Amos was a minor prophet in the Old Testament. He was from the southern Kingdom of Judah during the reign of King Uzziah. God called him to leave his hometown and go to the Northern Kingdom of Israel to speak to the Israelites concerning their lawless living under the wicked king Jeroboam II. Amos was just an average guy, so as you can imagine, they did not put much stock in what he had to say, especially since they were experiencing a time of peace in the country. They were getting away with rampant crime, immorality, and oppression of those in lesser positions.

Nevertheless, Amos remained there and continually delivered the message of the God of Israel to the rebellious people. Though he remained faithful, the people continued in rebellion until their king died, and they were overtaken by the Assyrian army and carried into captivity. 

Why do you think Amos was faithful to preach such an unpopular message and to remain loyal to the task when it got very tough to continue? The answer lies in his other occupation. Amos was a fruit bruiser.  He knew the importance of consistency in a job well done. In the southern kingdom of Judah, where he lived, sycamore figs were plentiful. The problem was they were not edible unless a small incision was made in the fruit, and then it was bruised. The pressure, or a better description, would be the beating applied to this type of fruit, which would provide a change within the fruit that would yield a sweetness that made it ready to be eaten. Therefore, harvesters of this fruit would hire fruit bruisers day in and day out to prepare the fruit for consumption. Amos was one of the hired hands.  Every day, he continually bruised the fruit to prepare it to be eaten by the people of his land.

Like Bob, I am sure that Amos' job did not appear very impressive to his friends, let alone the people to whom he was prophesying.  After all, walking around, slitting open fruit, then beating it could be done by just about anyone. It was laborious and monotonous, but that was not the point. Bystanders missed the significance of his faithful, methodical work of bruising fruit to prepare it. However, they enjoyed the benefits of his labor.  So, it is with our own jobs. Our work should never be counted as menial, regardless of its title and requirements, if we are doing it with the right spirit. Being proud of what we do each day, whether it's mopping floors, leading a corporation, or performing heart surgery, will bring fulfillment to us and serve as a benefit to others.  It's not the job that matters. It is the spirit with which it is done.   

Being a servant is much like being a fruit bruiser.  We may not receive much recognition, and we may take "beatings" for the efforts, challenges, and lack of glamour that come with our tasks. Still, the faithfulness to continue in the tasks we are called to can bring us satisfaction. In a spiritual sense, it can leave us with something eternal to share with others. Something lasting. As our understanding of what it means to be a "fruit bruiser" becomes clearer, we come to see that serving others is not about us but rather about leading others to Jesus. Doing all that we do for Him rather than our own satisfaction or personal elevation will leave a sweet fragrance upon all whose lives we touch.  We will know the true essence of being a servant when the question is asked of us, "What do you do for a living?" and we can reply with no other explanation than, "I bruise the fruit." 

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others."  

Philippians 2:4 

English Standard Version