Stewardship in Practice: Focus on the Root
On letting the fruit of self-discipline grow from being rooted in Christ
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about discipline. Not in the usual “get your life together” kind of way but more like, what it actually means to live a disciplined life when your identity is anchored in Christ.
For most of my life, I thought of discipline as something I had to do. A checklist to keep up with. A trait I needed to earn. Something external I had to keep forcing myself to measure up to. Wake up early. Eat the right foods. Be consistent. Hustle hard. Don’t quit.
And when I inevitably fell short, I’d feel like a failure. Like maybe I just didn’t have what it takes to be that kind of person.
But what if discipline was never meant to be forced? What if it’s not even something we strive for but something that flows from who we are in Christ?
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Discipline isn’t just a task, it’s fruit.
When I root myself in Christ—when I seek first the Kingdom, when I abide in Him, when I center my life around the things of God—self-discipline starts to grow naturally. Slowly, sometimes quietly, but steadily.
I don’t have to hustle to be holy. I just have to stay close to Christ. I have to abide, which means to remain, dwell, and continue in relationship with Jesus.
That changes everything.
It means I don’t have to rely on willpower alone.
It means I don’t have to chase perfection.
It means discipline isn’t about proving anything—it’s about becoming someone.
The kind of person who’s grounded. Focused. Surrendered.
The kind of person who shows up not because it’s easy, but because it’s who I am now.
And when I stumble—and I do—it’s not the end of the story. I’m reminded that grace is still here. God hasn’t changed His mind about me. His Spirit is still producing fruit in me, including self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).
So now, instead of white-knuckling my way into discipline, I’m learning to start with identity.
I am His.
I am becoming.
I am a branch connected to the Vine (John 15:4–5).
And as long as I stay rooted there, the fruit will come.
Reflection Prompt:
Where in your life have you been trying to force discipline instead of forming it through identity and intimacy with God?
Scriptures to Meditate On:
Matthew 6:33
John 15:4–5
Galatians 5:22–23
2 Timothy 1:7
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