Being a Good Tree, Bearing Good Fruit©
Look at your life and give it an honest assessment. Are you happy with what you see?
Are you at least content? If you're discontent, then change is in order. Perhaps you're wondering or wanting to
know what can you do to improve the quality of your life. You have one life to live—only one. With
that one life, you must make the best of it.
I've often
compared a prosperous life with that of a flourishing tree, growing luxuriantly for the world to see, bearing good fruit that's
pleasant to the eyes and desired by many. Your life can be like that. Think of yourself as a "tree."
You want to bear "good fruit" or come to have good things in possession. Then when others see your delightful
state, they will call you blessed, or prosperous. As a "tree," you need three basic elements to bear good
fruit:
1. You need "nutritious soil." As
a tree, you will have your "roots" in soil to soak up needed nutrients from the soil. You need to be "planted"
or established in an association with positive, supportive people who will be a reliable source of the spiritual nutrients
you need to "grow" or flourish and therefore bear good fruit. You need to be planted in relationships
wherein you can continually receive all sorts of support, encouragement, and godly counsel.
2. You need "good water." A plant needs water because water flow helps transport
mineral nutrients through the plant, thus keeping it from wilting. You need the water of the Holy Spirit, whose
flow in your life will help transport the spiritual nutrients you need through you as a "tree." The Holy Spirit,
as your Helper, will help you to make ultimate use of all the supportive elements you receive from others. He
knows how to use things to the fullest advantage and get the best possible use out of them.
3. You need "abundant sunlight." Sunlight is essential for plant survival.
You need "light" if you are to grow and flourish or prosper. Sunlight is light that comes from the sun, which
is in the heavens. The spiritual light you need is GUIDANCE, which will come from the Lord, who is in heaven.
You need to be continually guided by Him so that you can continually flourish or prosper. He may give you practical
insight directly by depositing it right into your spirit. Or, He may give you practical insight indirectly through others.
You can be a tree that bears good fruit. You can be a person of prosperity
and good success. You can be a "delightful land" to others. Let these three basic elements fully operate
in your life to see joyous growth and wonderful prosperity. You have got to work the principles or they will not work
for you!
