What’s Your Fruit?

Claude Debussy realized that he had a special gift. Born in northern France on this day in 1862, he wrote music that was different. Once the Paris Conservatory refused to allow a performance of one of his compositions. Debussy responded, “As there are no precedents, I must create anew.”

Influenced by the style developed by impressionist painters, he approached music as “a dream from which the veils have been lifted. It’s not even the expression of a feeling; it’s the feeling itself.” Gradually his music gained popularity with compositions often called soothing and atmospheric.

Yet his legacy was tainted by his personality. He was known for being arrogant. One critic wrote that he “consciously specialized in aloofness.” A colleague wondered if “his egotism will ever be subdued.” Reflecting his detached influence, his first wife shot herself, and a mistress threatened suicide.

Clearly, he was a master composer, but what was the real fruit of his life?

Jesus warned that we could achieve fame but still have wrong priorities. We might gain the whole world but neglect our own souls (Matthew 16:24-27).

Today, think about the fruit of your life. As Jesus taught, the key to bearing fruit is not skill or effort but abiding in Him: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).

Surrender your life anew to Jesus. He can make you fruitful, and produce the right fruit. Fruit that will last.