Like A Tree

7/3/2010 - Like a Tree

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:3 ESV

Have you ever looked at a tree that has grown near water? Trees near water are tall, strong and healthy. They become great structures of the earth that people come from miles and miles to see. These trees look much healthier and provide more than those who are far apart from their water source. Trees cannot survive very long without water. And we cannot survive very long without being connected to our source either.

Our connection to God is our key to a fruitful life. Connection to God means that we obtain all that we need from Him and only Him. The source of all of our existence should come from Him, since He is the source of all existence. In those areas of our life we feel unfruitful, perhaps it is a good idea to evaluate what we are using as a source in those areas.

I know many people who feel that in their finances, they are unfruitful. What is the source of your financial fruit? Is it your job? Is it your talent? Is it your inheritance? Is it your investment portfolio? What makes you financially fruitful? Only God provides your income. He simply uses your job, your portfolio, your inheritance, your skills, your talents, your gifts to do it. If you are stuck with only one of these other sources as your source, you may be in trouble. What happens to professional ball players who get injured? If God is not their source, they may fall into a deep depression having had their source disappoint them. What happens when you are laid off from your job? Your source is limited if you do not trust God to be your source continually.

Some people are not feeling fruitful in their relationships. Is God the source of what you seek from these relationships, or are you seeking it in another person? Is God who you turn to for the proper perspective on what a healthy relationship looks like, or are you trusting the media and your own experience to guide you? We are not to look to another limited human being to provide what God has already promised He would provide. He is our source for all things.

When we do trust God to provide for us all that we need and all that we desire, then in due season, we can be assured that we will have our fruit. Fruit does not grow all year round. Fruit only grows seasonally. There is a time to plant the seed and a time to harvest the seed. But given the right amount of nutrition, when it is time, that seed shall grow into what it was created to become. And it will not be delayed in its process. It is up to us to ensure that we are being properly fed by our God in every area of our life. Let’s not trust in anything or anyone but Him.