Sometimes when I’m doing my regular Bible reading, something jumps out at me in a sort of unconventional way and demands to be journaled. It’s in those moments that I know the Holy Spirit is totally whispering truth to my heart and I should listen. That’s how this page came to life for me.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought for it does not cease to bear fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:7-10
Here’s the thing. I want to be found fruitful. I want to be found living on the truth of God’s word and not flying by the seat of my pants… or heart. We are in a time in culture when “follow your heart” is thrown around like crazy. And while I love the sentiment, I also hate it. I know my heart. I know my heart is fickle. I know my heart betrays the truth so very often, even when my intentions are great. My heart sways with the tides of my emotions. Maybe that’s why I grabbed tight to this passage and read and re-read it over and over again. It’s all about fruit! That’s the beautiful juicy goodness that God is after. I want to be a woman who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is in Him- a woman that sends out her roots and doesn’t fear heat or droubt, because even in those times her life will be visible and the fruit plentiful. I found myself asking questions about my own heart and what God sees there when He peeks in.
I didn’t paint a tree, even though I adore them. I painted ferns. In the Texas weather I’m used to, those beauties are amazing. I look forward to Springs and Summers that yield planters full of gorgeous green ferns. They are lush and pretty and reselient and they have the craziest root systems! Under every leafy fern, there is a massive network of roots and root balls, that multiply much like fruit. You uproot one of those and you can replant it anywhere and watch it flourish. In my current set of circumstances, I’ve found myself firmly rooted in Jesus alone. Everything else shifts and changes, but I am at home in Him. My prayer is that the world wouldn’t see me, but His life in me, the fruit of my relationship with Him. I pray the same for you. Stay fruity, friends.
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I love this!!!! :D
stay fruity. I love it girl. Love this page. And you. xo
Love you fruity friend <3
Stay Fruity. How perfect. I was challenged recently too about the fact that Jesus’ desire is for us to abide in Him. That means that if we are soaking in His word, staying near Him, then we will be fruitful. Our blessing is in the abiding because He is the blessing. I also heard recently at the IF: Gathering Jennie Allen quoted Billy Graham saying something like God doesn’t desire fruitfulness but faithfulness. For me, the picture in the tree is that it is being faithful, every moment of every day, abiding in Him. And it’s blessed and made fruitful. But we can’t be discouraged if there isn’t any fruit that we can see cause we aren’t supposed to be looking for it. We are supposed to be abiding. If we abide, there is fruit. xoxo
This is so cool!❤️?
LOVE!