Once, Jesus compared people to an unfruitful fig tree (Lk.13.6-9). The owner of the property looked for fruit in that tree for three years, but did not find it. So also God seeks fruits in us. Someone could say: "Lord, see how this fig tree is tall, strong and well localized, it has beautiful leaves and flowers, besides providing a good shade", but none of that is fruit. Maybe we are very satisfied with the results achieved, but will God be satisfied? The effects of the gospel in our lives can not be just material things, like houses, cars, businesses and money.
What God seeks in us is the fruit of the Spirit, presented in Galatians 5:22: "Love, joy, peace, patience, benevolence, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control." In other words, the fruit is the manifestation of a transformed character. The owner of the vineyard ordered to cut the fruitless fig tree, but the vine grower asked to be given one more year to produce. Likewise, Jesus intercedes for us, asking that the Father give us another opportunity, be it another day or, perhaps, one more year. We will take every opportunity, emphasizing less what we expect from God and more what he expects from us.
