The Keys to Fruitfulness
By Vanessa Dawson
Our family has enjoyed lots of fresh cucumbers from our garden this year. It’s quite fun to harvest produce that I’ve planted but unfortunately, I am not a very experienced gardener and many things I planted didn’t really reap a great harvest. (the friendly wild bunny didn’t help either!) As I’ve spent time in my garden this summer I’ve been thinking about the “fruit” I produce in my life and how I can be even more fruitful.
John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came to give us a rich and satisfying life. I believe God is faithful and good and desires us to experience an abundant and meaningful life. John 15:5 goes on to say, “Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” The key in this verse is remaining in Jesus. As I remain in Jesus the promise is I will bear fruit. New seasons often bring a change in routine. As I anticipate Fall, I wonder how I can ensure my rhythms and routines position me to remain in Jesus.
I once heard a saying, “It is more important to schedule in our priorities than to prioritize our schedules.” I think there is truth in this statement. Most of us have very full and busy schedules and we can often feel like we run out of time to accomplish all the things on the to do list each day. What if we approached this fall in a different way? What if we took some time to think about the top priorities in our life and scheduled these into our calendar? Other activities could be added around these priorities, but we would be intentional in guarding these things that will help us remain in Jesus and ultimately help us live fruitful and abundant lives.
As I consider my own schedule, I want to be intentional about a personal daily quiet time with the Lord. This is where I can look at scripture and learn more about who God is and what He is saying to me. This is a time where I can pause and reflect on what God is doing and how I need to respond. The Bible app has a lot of different devotion options to help guide you.
I also want to prioritize growing with others in community. Weekly attendance at our worship gatherings and regular engagement with my Impact Community will help strengthen my relationships and provide opportunities to grow and serve together. I’m so grateful for our church family and the ways you encourage and spur me on!
For me personally I also want to be intentional about my health: exercise, good food and rest. Regular exercise is good to keep my energy up and help me feel strong. Planning healthy meals ensures I get all the nutrients I need to stay healthy. Guarding my Sabbath and ensuring I get a good sleep each night will also ensure I have the rest and recovery I need to be prepared for what God has in store for me in the months to come.
So, what about you? As you anticipate the Fall, what are your top priorities and how will you schedule those into your new rhythm and routines to ensure you remain in Jesus and live the fruitful life He’s created you for? I am praying for you and cheering you on! God has incredible things planned you. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Blessings, Vanessa
Our family has enjoyed lots of fresh cucumbers from our garden this year. It’s quite fun to harvest produce that I’ve planted but unfortunately, I am not a very experienced gardener and many things I planted didn’t really reap a great harvest. (the friendly wild bunny didn’t help either!) As I’ve spent time in my garden this summer I’ve been thinking about the “fruit” I produce in my life and how I can be even more fruitful.
John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came to give us a rich and satisfying life. I believe God is faithful and good and desires us to experience an abundant and meaningful life. John 15:5 goes on to say, “Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” The key in this verse is remaining in Jesus. As I remain in Jesus the promise is I will bear fruit. New seasons often bring a change in routine. As I anticipate Fall, I wonder how I can ensure my rhythms and routines position me to remain in Jesus.
I once heard a saying, “It is more important to schedule in our priorities than to prioritize our schedules.” I think there is truth in this statement. Most of us have very full and busy schedules and we can often feel like we run out of time to accomplish all the things on the to do list each day. What if we approached this fall in a different way? What if we took some time to think about the top priorities in our life and scheduled these into our calendar? Other activities could be added around these priorities, but we would be intentional in guarding these things that will help us remain in Jesus and ultimately help us live fruitful and abundant lives.
As I consider my own schedule, I want to be intentional about a personal daily quiet time with the Lord. This is where I can look at scripture and learn more about who God is and what He is saying to me. This is a time where I can pause and reflect on what God is doing and how I need to respond. The Bible app has a lot of different devotion options to help guide you.
I also want to prioritize growing with others in community. Weekly attendance at our worship gatherings and regular engagement with my Impact Community will help strengthen my relationships and provide opportunities to grow and serve together. I’m so grateful for our church family and the ways you encourage and spur me on!
For me personally I also want to be intentional about my health: exercise, good food and rest. Regular exercise is good to keep my energy up and help me feel strong. Planning healthy meals ensures I get all the nutrients I need to stay healthy. Guarding my Sabbath and ensuring I get a good sleep each night will also ensure I have the rest and recovery I need to be prepared for what God has in store for me in the months to come.
So, what about you? As you anticipate the Fall, what are your top priorities and how will you schedule those into your new rhythm and routines to ensure you remain in Jesus and live the fruitful life He’s created you for? I am praying for you and cheering you on! God has incredible things planned you. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Blessings, Vanessa