Roots and Fruit

The surviving remnant of the house of Judah will again take root downward and bear fruit upward. Isaiah 37:31

Fruit trees bear fruit as their roots go down deep into the soil for minerals and water. They are tapped into a rich source that is necessary for life. Jesus told us to sink our roots into Him by abiding in Him and it would result in us bearing fruit.

There are many things I can do without abiding in Christ and being connected to God's heart. I can join a church, get involved, teach, sing in the choir, go on visitation, work in children's ministries, attend seminars, read books, and do countless other things and STILL not see fruit. While these things are good they are not meant to be my life source. They are not what connect my heart to God's heart.

Connecting and abiding transpire when I simply come to God and receive from Him what He longs to give me. I have spent years looking to people and things to fill the emptiness in my life, to give me my identity, to meet my deepest needs. But as I did, I missed the true Source. It wasn't until I finally stopped and turned to God, and said, "You fill me where I am empty" that I found the connection and I marvel at what has transpired.

I know fruit will come of this ~ it is only natural. But it will not be because I am straining to produce it on my own. It will come because it is the natural result of abiding in Christ. While Satan would be quick to give me a list of things to do, God says to just stay connected to Him. Right now He is nurturing my spirit in ways I have never known. This is all new for me.
He has things for me to do and He has a work He is calling me to. But I must sink my spiritual roots downward in Him before I can begin to bear any fruit upward.

Father, I am in awe of how this works. Nurture me fully and produce Your fruit in me. You are my Source. Amen