Rootfulness and Fruitfulness
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers.
Psalm 1:3
What is it that causes some people to bear so much fruit for the Lord while others are simply “leafy”? What is the reason behind some consistently growing in strength while others consistently struggle in weakness?
By way of explanation, Scripture offers the analogy of a tree. When we see that healthy plant standing tall even in stormy times and bearing fruit even in harsh conditions, it’s due to the part of the tree that you don’t see. The hidden part.
When you look at a tree, you never see the entire tree. You just see what grows above the earth in plain sight.
You don’t see the most important part, that which is unseen, the roots which grow underground. Those roots are key for the tree’s nourishing. It’s how it accesses life-giving water and minerals.
When these roots are strong the tree thrives and bears fruit. When these roots are shallow or weak, the fruit (if it does appear) is withered and short-lived.
Bottom line: A tree’s fruitfulness can never exceed its rootfulness.
A tree’s fruitfulness can never exceed its rootfulness.
Sinking Your Roots Down Deep
What’s true for trees is no less true for you and me. There are two parts to our existence: the part that’s visible to the world and the hidden part that no one can see.
It’s the visible part that manifests the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
But it’s the hidden part of your life that taps into that Spirit, communing with Him through time in the Word, moments in prayer, and occasions of worship.
No one can see these things. They are done in the secret place, below the surface. But they are absolutely key to fruitfulness. It’s there that you receive spiritual nourishment by which you can bear fruit.
Johnathan Cahn put it well: “Your fruitfulness for God will always be proportionate to your rootfulness in God.” In other words, if you would become great you will need to grow deep.
In fact, the Hebrew word for “root” is sheresh – which is linked to deepness or depth.
The Apostle Paul picked up on this idea of rootfulness and fruitfulness in his N.T. letter the Colossians. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7
My guess is that you’re no different than me in that you long to bear fruit for the Kingdom. You really want your life to count.
That being the case, let me encourage you to make it your aim to grow deeper in the hidden and secret places. On a consistent basis drink in that which the Spirit of God is more than willing to offer to those who seek Him.
And as you do the promise of Proverbs 12:12 will be yours: “…the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.”
PRAYER
Lord, I really do want to bear fruit for you. Yet I must admit that, all too often, I want the product without the process. Help me spend time in the secret place this week. Nourish me at the root level that I can glorify You at the fruit level.
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