A healthy apple tree is green and produces fruit. A dying apple tree eventually becomes leafless and barren. The same principle can be applied to our physical lives, our businesses, and especially our spiritual growth.

I am reminded of an older couple who belonged to a car club I once attended. They spent their later years sitting in “his-and-hers” recliners in front of the television, seemingly waiting to die.

In contrast, I once watched a much older gentleman playing golf with a walker strapped beside his clubs on the golf cart. He would step out of the cart, retrieve his walker and the club he needed, and slowly make his way to the ball. He would position the walker behind him, grip the club, and take his swing.

He even had a ball retriever attached to the end of his putter so he would not have to bend over to retrieve his ball from the cup.

There was no “giving up” in his mindset. He was certainly practicing the principle of “use it or lose it.”

The Law of Diminishing Returns

Many years ago, a corporate speaker led a seminar built around this phrase:

“If you are not green and growing, you are brown and dying.”

The speaker emphasized the importance of setting aside time to broaden our knowledge. It is easy for people to devote all their time to working in their business while losing sight of the need to work on their business.

If they fail to educate themselves and prepare for the future, they will eventually fall behind their better-prepared competitors. Their once-fruitful business may begin to resemble the brown apple tree, producing less and less fruit as the years pass.

Frank’s Journey Toward Spiritual Growth

Frank was a very religious person who attended Sunday services regularly. Sometimes, when his life was going sideways, he would even rise early on a weekday to attend a 6:00 a.m. service before going to work. If there had been an award for church attendance, Frank certainly would have earned one.

It was not until Frank experienced a spiritual awakening that he realized being religious was not the same as having a relationship with God. In the past, Frank had recited many rote prayers and attended church services primarily out of obligation. His religion had taught him that these were the things a Christian must do to please God.

Although Frank had become fairly successful by the standards of this world, he knew deep within his heart that something was missing. He was experiencing the law of diminishing returns in his spiritual life.

There was a void in his heart that could not be filled by money, material possessions, or religion. Despite everything he had accomplished in this world, Frank felt like that brown apple tree.

Don’t be hasty to speak and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Just as dreams accompany much labor, so also a fool’s voice comes with many words. – Ecclesiastes 5:2-3
< God is not looking for great orators or longwinded prayers >

This would make for a spectacular movie if the heavens had immediately parted, the Holy Spirit had descended, and Frank had sprouted wings beneath a glowing halo.

But God’s timing is not ours, and His work often begins quietly on the inside—within our hearts.

Frank recalls that it was nearly four months to the day after that simple prayer when he first heard God’s voice. From that moment forward, Frank began leaving his religious past behind and embarked upon a spiritual journey into a personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, 
if you have faith.” – Matthew 21:22
< God loves genuine prayers of faith >

Frank stopped attending church for a few years. During that time, he immersed himself in the Word of God. He read the Bible, studied it carefully, explored the meanings of Hebrew and Greek words translated into English, and consulted commentaries when he encountered difficult passages.

Most importantly, Frank prayed for the Holy Spirit to help him understand Scripture.

Today, Frank attends a Bible-based church, participates in a weekly Bible study, and continues to enjoy his daily “manna” from God’s Word. Although Frank is now nearly twenty years older than he was at the time of his spiritual awakening, he is greener and still growing in God’s presence.

Frank’s journey is far from unique. He believed that by following his church’s rules and checking off all the “required” boxes, he was pleasing God.

Some religions faithfully point people toward God, while others burden them with misleading requirements. In Frank’s case, his former church taught that certain activities were essential to earning God’s favor.

True spiritual growth begins when we stop trying to earn God’s favor and turn to Him with a sincere and willing heart.

A reader’s comment on one of my previous posts (The Complications of Baptism) described Frank’s former religion perfectly:

“Some of these religions require us to perform certain rituals to belong to their church. It’s like being a Boy Scout and earning merit badges.” – Norman Flynn

Frank was fortunate to recognize that there was a significant void in his life. His soul was longing for its Creator.

He learned that attending church and participating in religious rituals and ceremonies do not make someone a Christian. You cannot place God in your debt by performing rituals to earn spiritual merit badges.

God does not merely want your activities. He wants your heart.

When you turn to Christ in faith, God gives you the Holy Spirit to guide you into the life He has planned for you.

How Is your relationship with God?
Is it green and growing or brown and dying?

Whether you are a believer or a nonbeliever, and whether your answer is “not very good” or “it could be better,” there is a beautiful Bible verse that tells you how to take the first step:

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. – James 4:8a

This verse lies at the beginning of every believer’s testimony.

God is a gentleman, and He will not force Himself upon you. But if you invite Him in, as Frank did, He will come running.

Turn toward Him and be filled with His light. Enjoy His presence, and allow His light to make your spiritual life green again.

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