3. Vitality

He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither…

  Psalm 1:3

When we walk in the power of the Spirit of God, we experience spiritual vitality. And when we combine vitality with spiritual stability and productivity, it is not difficult to see what God intends for those who have given their lives to Christ. In Psalm 1, we see this vitality described as a tree whose “leaf does not wither.” As born again believers in Jesus, our spiritual “leaves” should not wither. Healthy trees have green leaves, teaming with life. Only when the leaf is detached from the tree does it begin to lose life, turn brown, and wither away.

Jesus tells us that if we will remain, abide, and walk with Him daily, we will bear fruit. As long as the leaf stays connected to the tree, receiving all of the nutrients that come from the “streams of water,” benefiting from the strong root system and health of the tree itself, the leaf will not wither. Our lives are no different. As we surrender our lives to Jesus and receive the Spirit of God within, we effectively stay connected to the life-giving power of God. And as we stay connected to Him, we enjoy all of the benefits of His strength and power. He provides the “streams of water” for our souls. He makes sure that our spiritual leaves do not wither and that we produce spiritual fruit. It is in Him that we find stability, productivity, and spiritual vitality. We are the children of God, we have been redeemed, forgiven, saved, and given eternal life. And it is for all of these reasons and more that we should be a people exhibiting spiritual vitality.

Paul provides us with a reminder that physical age does not and should not affect our spiritual vitality. Consider the following:

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

    2 Corinthians 4:16

Notice that this “renewal” comes in spite of the fact that our physical bodies are aging. Our outer man (the physical body) is decaying. But although we experience physical aging, our inner man (the spirit) is being renewed. Why? Because our vitality is not limited to our physical condition. Yes, physical health and vitality are important if we are going to function at the highest possible level. But it is our spirit within that gives us the drive to persevere and accomplish the things for which God has created us. While the physical and spiritual aspects of our lives are to work in tandem, physical ability alone is simply not enough. There are many who enjoy physical health yet do not really enjoy life because of a lack of spiritual health. Anxiety, despair, and depression are realities for some even physically healthy individuals. In fact, when the spiritual is broken, the physical usually follows suit. So Paul reminds us that, as Christians, we continue to be renewed every day even as we age. And the result of this daily, spiritual renewal? We do not lose heart! Again, physical health is a tremendous blessing from God but it is our spiritual condition that dictates whether or not we lose heart. If we are walking in the power of the Spirit of God, we can live in and enjoy complete spiritual vitality!

Spiritual vitality is exclusively accessible to those who have given their lives to Jesus Christ because spiritual vitality comes from God. Consider the following:

He (God) gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

  Isaiah 40:29-31

It is true…when we are weak, God demonstrates His strength in and through us. It is God who gives strength to those who are weary (Matthew 11:28). It is God who provides power to those who lack it. Even when we are young (physically speaking), we can find ourselves growing tired and weary yet God is faithful to meet us in that place and provide the power and strength that we need. Even when we fail, when we stumble badly, God is faithful to bring us back to a place of spiritual strength and vitality. This provision can only be explained by the supernatural power of God. But this promise of vitality is only for those who belong to Christ. God will stay faithful to us and when we need that extra measure of power, we can completely trust that He will provide.

This is what Paul was praying for as he spoke these words:

…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man…             Ephesians 3:16

First, we need to understand that we can pray this prayer over our own lives. Secondly, we need to acknowledge that the source of spiritual vitality comes from “the riches of God’s glory.” It is the goodness of God that brings about spiritual vitality in our lives. But thirdly, we can see that this spiritual strength and power is a direct result of having God’s Spirit living within our hearts. It is in the inner man that God strengthens us and it is by the power of the Spirit of God in us that we begin to see this become reality in our lives. Anyone who has walked with Christ for any length of time has, no doubt, seen this materialize in their lives. 

Spiritual stability, productivity, and vitality are ours to enjoy as we continue to yield our lives over to the One who died and gave His life on our behalf. Surrender your life to Jesus today and begin to enjoy all of the promises of God! 

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us…

      Ephesians 3:20