Faith in Fruitless Times

There are principles in God’s Kingdom. They are rules that dictate how life in the Kingdom operates. Think of a mathematical rule like the Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2 = c2. It works every single time.

Not all that into math? Me either, sister. Here’s a more relatable example: if we eat more calories than we burn, we will gain weight. Hey— a rule is a rule (even if we all wish it would go away).

One Kingdom principle Jesus taught is this: when we put the Kingdom of God first, He takes care of all our needs (Matt. 6:31-33). Like the pythagorean theorem, I don’t have to understand how it works to know that it just does— praise Jesus!

There’s another Kingdom principle I’ve been mulling over for quite some time now: when we are rooted in trust in the Lord (not in ourselves), our lives will never fail to bear fruit.

Fruit is what others "taste" and how they experience God’s goodness. Jesus made it very clear: the Father is looking for fruit. In fact, it was for this very reason that He chose us (John 15). But the fruit production is not our part— it's His. Our job is simply to stay rooted in Him.

​Jeremiah 17 is one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible. It says, in verses 7-8, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (emphasis mine). I used to read that last line and take it to mean that if I’m truly rooted in Christ, I should always be producing. Maybe you’ve felt that way too. We (people) are really good at adding demands on ourselves that God never really asked for (just take the Pharisees for example).

One day, on a walk, I was lamenting to God about how fruitless I felt during that particular season of life, and the guilt I carried because of it. It was winter, and as I walked and prayed I gazed at the seemingly barren trees. It was then that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes— while the trees appeared barren, on the inside there was life getting ready to burst forth in due time. In that moment, God connected a natural principle with a Kingdom principle to reveal a truth I almost missed: trees don’t bear fruit in every season, but they do bear fruit in their season. The same is true for us.

I’m recognizing a huge downside to social media is the tendency to compare (whether we are aware of it or not). The problem with comparison is that we are all different “trees” that bear fruit in different seasons. Your season is not my season. My season is not your season. God is sovereign over all our seasons, and our part is to simply stay rooted and entrust the timing to Him.

The truth is when we compare, there can only be one of two outcomes: either we end up on top (filled with pride), or we end up on the bottom (feeling less-than). Neither, my friend, is life-giving.

What area of your life are you feeling the pressure to perform, when God is calling you to rest in trust? Striving saps the nutrients and strength we need for when our season comes. 

​When we abide, trusting in His timing, we will bear fruit in our season. Oh, how I wish I understood this truth earlier in life. Friend, whatever fruit you are waiting on, make the decision today to rest in God’s timing. We can take God’s Kingdom principles to the bank. When we do what only we can do (rest in trust and obedience), God does what only He can do— makes the fruit come in due time.

““This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
​Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV)

About the Author

Hi, I’m Katie! I live with my husband, Craig, in North Georgia with our three children and family golden retriever. When I’m not working or playing taxi driver, I enjoy reading, hiking, traveling, cheering on the Atlanta Braves, and savoring exquisite coffees (black, please). Most of all, I love spending time in God’s Word and sharing it with others in a practical and encouraging way that helps them experience the abundant life Jesus promised. Happy to have you along for the journey, friend!