Rooted for Fruitfulness
It was one of those quiet mornings where the noise of responsibility hadn’t yet started to clamor. With the year ending, I found myself looking at the months in the rearview mirror. I was saddened at first - I’m prone to negativity - so I quickly diverted to prayer. I’ve always known that is how I best connect; everything looks better through that lens.
As I prayed for myself, my family, leaders, our Chamber, and the year ahead, I wasn’t asking God for strategy. I was asking Him for clarity. For a Vision for the NEW YEAR - for a “word” that could carry me through whatever lies ahead in this coming Year.
That’s when the image came, not hurried, not loud.
A scene like, or a clip of a movie - from Ezekiel 47.
A river.
Flowing steadily from the presence of God. Starts as just a trickle, but then steadily grows, and eventually turns into rushing rapids, teaming with life.
And trees surrounding that scene - rooted, calm, unpanicked - bearing fruit as if scarcity had never been a concern.
I sensed the Lord say, FRUITFUL.
There are moments when a word from God doesn’t arrive just as encouragement - it arrives as alignment. And that’s Fruitful - for me. It rocked my world since then (close to a week now)...and I wanted to share it with you. I believe it could be a word for all of us.
FRUITFUL.
Not as a slogan for a new year. Or a home decor sign to buy at Hobby Lobby (nothing against that!)
Not as a goal to chase. Or a number to show off.
But as a summons - to return to the Source.
As I continued to bring that up in my mind…and prayed over our Chamber, our leaders, and the season ahead, one image kept resurfacing - again and again - quietly: a river flowing from God’s presence, and trees standing unbothered by drought, bearing fruit without strain.
Ezekiel is walked through a vision - not rushed, not explained all at once. The deeper he goes, the stronger the current becomes. Eventually, the river is no longer something he can control or cross on his own strength.
That in itself…can PREACH, but that wasn’t my focus…(maybe for another day thought!..)
And along that riverbank stood TREES…various kinds, all kinds , all FRUIT trees on BOTH sides of the river…
“Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail… their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” (Ezekiel 47:12)
What struck me wasn’t just the abundance - it was the ease.
No striving.
No scrambling.
No panic in changing conditions.
The trees weren’t trying to be fruitful.
They were simply planted in the right place.
I sensed the Lord whisper: This is how I want My leaders to live.
I’ll be honest - there have been seasons when I measured fruit the way the world does.
Visible results. Busy schedules. Answered emails. Open doors.Growth I could track.
God began gently showing me places where activity had replaced abiding, and competence had quietly edged out dependence.
Fruitfulness, He reminded me, is not produced by effort.
It’s produced by flow from the RIVER OF HIS PRESENCE
Through the root system I’ve already grown, by the time spent with Him.
Scripture Has Always Told This Story
From the beginning, God has spoken through trees.
The Bible opens with the Tree of Life in Eden - and it closes with the Tree of Life in Revelation, whose leaves heal the nations. Ezekiel’s river sits right in the middle of that story.
Humanity was cut off from life.
Jesus became the Tree.
On the wood of the cross, He carried the curse.
Now, grafted into Him, we become living, fruit-bearing trees again.
Jesus said it plainly:
“I am the Vine; you are the branches.”
This isn't a metaphor for inspiration.
It’s architecture for life and leadership.
As business owners and executives, we understand pressure.
Deadlines.
Markets.
Responsibility for people’s livelihoods.
The temptation is to manage fruit from the branches.
But God always works from the roots.
The culture says:
Work harder. Move faster. Control outcomes.
The Spirit says:
Come back to the river.
Position yourself where life flows.
“Let prayer become - your strategy.
Let worship re-center your authority.
Let Scripture shape your identity ”
Because what flows into us will eventually flow through us.
The Leaves You Don’t See
One detail in Ezekiel’s vision keeps undoing me: the leaves were for healing.
Leaves are quiet.
Often unnoticed.
Rarely celebrated.
Yet God says that’s where the medicine is.
Your leadership tone.
Your patience in a hard conversation.
Your refusal to compromise integrity.
Your willingness to shelter someone else’s weakness.
These are leaves.
And they heal more than you realize.
Some of you are frustrated because you don’t see fruit yet.
Hear this gently: roots grow deepest when the surface looks dry.
Psalm 1 promises fruit in its season - not constantly, not performatively, but faithfully.
If God has you in a hidden season, it is not punishment.
It is preparation.Stay planted.
As We Gather https://mnchristianchamber.org/leadership-breakfast
As we come together for the Leadership Breakfast and receive vision for the year ahead, I believe God is asking us a deeper question than What will we build?
He’s asking: Where are You planted?!
Kingdom Leadership Breakfast Event by MN Christian Chamber of Commerce
Tue, Jan 13, 2026, 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
2001 Fulham St, Roseville, Minnesota, US, 55113 - Midland Hills Country Club
THis is my PRAYER for YOU
Father, plant us by Your river. Strip away striving and replace it with trust. Let our roots find Your living water again. Make our leadership fruitful in ways that nourish and heal - not just impress. When storms come, hold us steady. When success comes, keep us humble. Let our businesses become trees of righteousness, offering shade, sustenance, and hope. We receive Your word - FRUITFUL - not as pressure, but as promise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This is my invitation to you - not as a speaker or strategist, but as a fellow leader learning to live rooted.
The river is flowing.
The question is whether we will step into it.
Here’s to a New Year 2026 !
- marked by deep roots and lasting fruit.
