Change the Root, Change the Fruit

It is January, and if you know Pastor Jerry, you know it’s time for a sermon on fasting and change. Though I’ve sat under his teaching for almost 30 years, he said something I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say. He was discussing potential and said that what we need to succeed is already inside of us. Much like a piece of fruit that has seeds…you can count the number of seeds inside an orange, but you can’t count the number of oranges inside a seed. Within the right soil, with the proper care and nutrients, the possibilities are endless. But the statement that caught my attention was this, “You don’t fix a tree by polishing the fruit.”  

In our lives, we indulge in sin. As believers, we should feel a little Holy Spirit conviction because we know we’re not acting right or doing things that please the Lord. But we ALL fall short, and even on our best days, it’s not enough…BUT God…thank God for His mercy and grace! But in our day to day, we often justify what we’re doing…polishing the fruit…but we’re not doing much to see the manifestation of meaningful change…fixing the tree. 

During January, as a church, Pastor asks us to join him in a corporate fast. During this time, if you truly engage in the fast, it opens up more time to build your relationship with the Father. Whether you fast food, an activity, or a habit, doing so allows you to focus on what God wants for your life; it’s an opportunity for reflection and positive change. When we approach change in this way, our faith grows deeper and our prayers get stronger; and in doing so, we gain joy and peace as we realize our full potential. To see REAL meaningful and impactful change, we must grow spiritually from the inside out. Change the root, change the fruit.