How do you know if your life is producing healthy spiritual fruit? A recent doctor’s visit revealed I needed a spiritual adjustment.
“Your blood pressure is high. Is that normal for you?” the nurse asked.
“Not usually. But my GPS trapped me in the parking garage and had me driving in circles for twenty minutes before it took me out only to bring me back into the same garage on the other side.”
My circumstances justified my soaring blood pressure, didn’t they? Or maybe they only revealed another problem illustrated by a plant on my friend’s screened porch.
Too Little Sunshine
Kelly noticed wilting leaves on the small tree inside her porch. On further inspection, she noted the side that faced outside sprouted healthy new growth. Could lack of sunshine be the problem?
She turned the shriveling side toward the sun. Several days later, tender green sprouts budded among the yellowed leaves.
Perhaps like me you’ve read the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) in Galatians 5:22-23 and realized your spiritual fruit isn’t as vibrant as you want. I blamed my wilted peace in the parking garage on my GPS, when what I needed was more Son-shine.
I blamed my wilted peace in the parking garage on my GPS, when what I needed was more Son-shine. #Fruitfulness, #Abide Share on XWe’re tempted to focus on the withered fruit. How often have I bemoaned my lack of patience? But focusing on patience hasn’t made me more patient. I need the Holy Spirit’s power and life flowing through me.
Kelly could have pruned, watered, sprayed, and fertilized the sick side of the tree. But the tree needed sunshine.
When my patience withers, I can pause and take a deep breath, but unless I reconnect with Jesus, the benefit of that deep breath will be limited at best. Putting my roots deep into the soil of God’s love revives me and produces sweet fruit.
How Do I Produce Good Spiritual Fruit?
- Check your roots. Are they deeply rooted in the right soil?
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness” (Col. 2:7 NLT).
I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. … Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephes. 3:16-21 NLT).
- Check your connection. Are you plugged into the Spirit or the flesh (human nature)?
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:4-5 NLT).
“Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me” (2 Cor. 12:9 NLT).
Withering fruit reminds us to check our power source. Next time you notice your peace and joy shriveling, remember Kelly’s tree and turn to the Son.
Resources
Nurture your spiritual roots and experience peace with the interactive book Give Yourself a Break.
Blessings,
Photo by Rohit Tandon on Unsplash
Sometimes I link with these great sites:
#InspireMeMonday, #InstaEncouraements, #TellHisStory and here , #Let’sHaveCoffee, #Recharge Wednesday, #Grace&Truth,
I just love this Debbie! A great reminder I can definitely use.
Thank you, Ann. God bless.
I have a little plant in the kitchen that I have to keep rotating because it’s constantly reaching toward the sunshine. If I didn’t rotate it, all the growth would be one one side, and the back would probably look like your friend’s tree. When I see the growing leaves reaching towards the window, it’s a reminder to me how much I need to seek the Son-light.
Barbara, I love how God plants spiritual lessons everywhere we go! (Pun intended) Thanks for giving us this picture.
Such a practical yet poignant analogy here. I’m so glad he gives us grace…bcz I am surely a work in continual progress….
Me too, Jan! 🙂
I love this idea of Son-shine. Truly it is the Holy Spirit who produces His fruit in us. The more Son we get, the more fruit will be produced.
Yes! Son-bathing is good for the soul! Thanks, Karen.
Debbie, I love this message. So true and wonderful reminders for us. When we feel spiritually wilted we need to turn our faces to the Son, to be nurtured and bring forth new growth.
Visiting today from IMM#2
It is a lovely picture to me too. Thanks, Paula.
Debbie, we can learn so much from nature if we’re observant and open. Thank you!
I agree. I think God reveals spiritual truths to us in so many ways.
Thank you Ms. Debbie. I’ve often thought of the fruits of the Spirit as a “measuring stick of my faith”. If I can’t see growth in these areas of my life year over year, then I need to investigate and determine what’s the missing ingredient. Great post ma’am.
Yes, J.D. I want to be growing in these too.
Thank you. I’d love to hear more about how you interpret the passages listed at the bottom, references to ways you and others have rooted in the soil and plugged into the spirit would be helpful. There’s just so many ways one can interpret passages considering conte- the text is really old, literally from another time.
Julia, you might this post helpful: https://debbiewwilson.com/enjoy-the-bible/
All the best to you.
Wonderful advice! Thank you!
Thank you, Connie. God bless!
Debbie, this post brought a memory to mind. When my children were younger and still at home, there was a day when I was grouchy. My daughter asked, “Did you spend time doing your devotional this morning?” She wasn’t being sassy but genuinely trying to connect the dots. It was something I never have forgotten. You wrote, “withering fruit reminds us to check our power source.” So very true!
I had to chuckle. I’ve had those days too. Thanks, Joanne.
I especially love the Scripture you shared from Ephesians (I love them all really!). The prayers Paul prays in that book are powerful and lead us to depend upon the Holy Spirit and not ourselves.
I agree, Barbara. Good ones to pray for ourselves and others.
Great message that spoke to me especially today. In this heat wave, many of our plants are dry and withering so your analogy was well timed. I pray for daily watering from the Lord so I can be refreshed
Yes, Yvonne. Son-shine and the watering of the Word!
Wonderful lessons here, Debbie. God shows us so many lessons in what surrounds us. Thanks and God bless!
Thank you, Nancy. He really does. May we have eyes to see.
Debbie, this is a wonderful post and analogy. And your two points for healthy fruit are super insightful. I pray to be rooted in the right soul and plugged into the right source-the Holy Spirit…and bask in the Son-light.
Me too, Karen!
Thank you, Debbie. I appreciate you sharing this post. We do need to stay in the Son and receive His light to flourish. Great illustration and practical points for me to meditate on.
Carla, thanks so much for reading. I appreciate how the Lord speaks to us in many ways to get His truths across.
I’m always rotating my houseplants so they can get the best sunshine. I’ve found when I’m feeling wilted, I need more Living Water and Sonshine. Thank you for this wonderful post. Great reminder to stay rooted in the Word and connected to the One who helps us to yield spiritual fruit.
Love that, Lisa. Living Water and Sunshine!