Planted by the Water: A Life That Bears Fruit

Two years ago, God began a beautiful transformation in Shirley’s life. It wasn’t a sudden change but one that was nurtured in the quiet, hidden places. It started on Thursday mornings at Erika’s house, where she and Erika faithfully gathered to pray. When they first shared this with me, I encouraged them to continue for a season, hoping that, in time, it would grow into a recognised City Church prayer ministry. Little did we know that these humble beginnings would mark the start of a deep and powerful work in Shirley’s life.

This past Thursday, I had the privilege of attending the church prayer meeting. As I sat with seven women who prayed with fire, fervency, and joy, I was deeply humbled. In all my 38 years as a Christian, and over 20 years in leadership, I have never experienced a more powerful prayer meeting. I was left in awe of what God is doing in and through them.

On Sunday, as Shirley spoke, it was more than just a sermon—it was the overflow of a life deeply rooted in God. She carried a prophetic message of urgency and clarity, an invitation to reassess where we place our trust. At the heart of her message was Jeremiah 17:5-8, a passage that contrasts two kinds of people: those who trust in human strength, like a bush in the desert, dry and struggling, and those who trust in the Lord, like a tree planted by the water, thriving and fruitful even in the toughest seasons.

Where Do We Place Our Trust?

Shirley’s message was clear: we are being called to shift our focus from fleeting earthly securities to God’s unchanging provision. What struck me most was the challenge within her words—an invitation to examine where our hope truly lies. In the busyness of life, it’s easy to rely on our own abilities, plans, and understanding. We seek security in our finances, careers, relationships, and even our own sense of control. But no earthly foundation can offer the stability and growth that comes from trusting in God.

One of the most powerful moments in the sermon was Shirley’s personal testimony. She spoke of facing rejection and legal challenges—moments when hope seemed distant. Yet, rather than leaning on her own strength, she chose to trust in God—not only as her provider but as her advocate, her ultimate lawyer. His faithfulness in answering her prayers was a vivid reminder that no situation is beyond His reach. His answers may not always come as we expect, but they are always perfectly timed and full of grace.

There was a deep prophetic weight in the vision Shirley shared—the church as trees planted by the water, a picture of growth, restoration, and fruitfulness. This echoed a word spoken over the church last year: despite the challenges we face, God is establishing us, strengthening us, and making us fruitful. As we continue to trust in Him, we grow deeper, drawing nourishment from His presence and producing fruit that blesses those around us.

Expecting Growth in Every Season

This was more than a call to trust—it was a call to remain expectant. God's plans are not hindered by our circumstances. They are unfolding even in the midst of them. The analogy of the tree not fearing heat or drought reminded us that, just as trees planted by water remain nourished and productive, we too can remain steadfast in God’s faithfulness.

I think of times in my own life when I have felt like that struggling bush in the desert—parched, weary, and striving to survive. Yet God calls us to be like the tree by the water, whose roots run deep, drinking constantly from His presence. When we are planted in Him, we do not wither under pressure. We do not shrink back in difficulty. Instead, we continue to grow, to bear fruit, and to thrive, regardless of the season we are in.

Shirley’s clarity in communicating this truth was both convicting and encouraging. It left me reflecting on the areas where I may still be relying on my own strength rather than fully trusting in God. She reminded us that true security, growth, and fruitfulness come when we place our trust in the Lord, the One who always makes a way.

A Call to Trust and Flourish

Ultimately, Shirley’s sermon was a prophetic invitation to step into a deeper trust in God. It was a challenge to surrender the areas where we lean on our own understanding and an encouragement to expect growth and blessing as we root ourselves in Him.

So, where is your trust today? Are you relying on your own strength, or are you planted by the waters of His provision? As we trust in God, we will bear fruit—fruit that nourishes us and blesses those around us. And in every challenge, we can remain confident: He is at work, making all things grow for His glory.

Whether or not you heard Shirley speak last Sunday, I encourage you to listen to (or re-listen to) her message. It’s one that will stir your heart and challenge you to go deeper in trust. You can do so by clicking here