Becoming a Fruitful Tree in Christ
Sometimes I pause and quietly ask myself,
“Am I becoming more and more like Christ?”
Life does not become calmer as we grow older. Storms still come. Pressures still knock at our door. Yet, something within feels different. There is a quiet strength. A firmness. A rootedness that was not there before.
Like a tree planted deeply by living waters, the roots go down unseen, but the leaves and fruits tell the story.
This is what growing in Christ looks like.
When we are rooted and built up in Him, thanksgiving begins to overflow naturally. We become thankful for His Word, thankful for Jesus, thankful for fellow believers, thankful for chances to serve, and thankful for the countless quiet blessings that fill our days.
And then, without forcing it, fruit begins to appear.
We worship—not because we must, but because we want to.
We serve—not because we are told, but because our hearts have changed.
We love, show kindness, practice patience, and carry peace—because the Spirit is gently shaping us from within.
* A mature Christian life can be described in four simple words:
* Rooted. Resilient. Radiant. Reproducing.
* Rooted in Christ.
* Resilient through storms.
* Radiant in worship and service.
* Reproducing His love in others.
This is how disciples grow. This is how we mature. This is how we multiply.
It is not about doing more.
It is about abiding more.
Holding His hand. Resting in His presence. Living daily in Him.
And as we do, we slowly become what He has always intended us to be — a fruitful tree, full of life, shade, beauty, and blessing to others.
That is the journey of becoming more like Christ.
(*Note:This piece grew from thoughts stirred by a sermon preached by Dr. Thomas Chin at Fettes Park Baptist Church, which deeply encouraged my heart.)
