Welcome to 2025! This year’s theme is Fruitfulness.
When I think about going from a year of Patient Endurance to a year of Fruitfulness, I get excited. The year of Patient Endurance was difficult, to say the least, but I believe it was necessary to get us to where God wants us to be this year.
When I think about my own life, I can see many transitions and changes that have and will be taking place in this upcoming year. Like many changes of the season, we often start with the external changes, like switching over from wearing T-shirts and shorts in the summer to wearing sweatpants and sweaters in the winter.
Very naturally, my brain begins thinking about all the necessary changes and adjustments that will come with these upcoming transitions and new season, from working to being a new father. Just like many of us do, I start to plan and prepare for the season to change.
As I was preparing and planning for the new season, I felt the Lord redirecting my process. The Lord reminded me that although there are many changes that need to be made, there are many things that need to remain.
Although we change our clothes seasonally, we still need to be clothed.
So perhaps when we think about going into this new year 2025, maybe we should examine what in our lives needs to remain before we make any changes.
God reminded me that in the changing of seasons plants and trees may die in one season and flourish in another.
The reason why plants and trees can die in one season and flourish in another is because they remain rooted in the ground.
If a plant or tree is uprooted, they will not survive the next season no matter how severe or ideal the conditions are.
I felt like the Holy Spirit told me: “Never take your roots out, no matter what season you are in!”
For some of you, you may feel like giving up. You may still be in the midst of Patient Endurance, wondering if you should uproot from the Father because nothing seems to be working.
For others, you may be starting to see some light at the end of your Patient Endurance, and may consider uprooting from the Father as life seems less daunting and more promising.
Regardless of where you are at in life, remain rooted in the Father.
This year’s theme of fruitfulness begins with being rooted in the Lord. We don’t stand a chance of being fruitful in this season, if we are not rooted in Christ.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
John 15:5-8 (NIV)
I pray the words of Paul to the Ephesians over Lifespring:
Ephesians 3:14-21 (NLT)
“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.“