Have you heard the story of the fruitless fig tree, frustrated man and compassionate gardener? Jesus told that story, and we hope you will join us Sunday as we look at it. The poet Mary Oliver asks, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Gardeners rotate crops and pay attention to the conditions of soil and water and light. They will transplant a tree or shrub if its location is not ideal for successful growth and production. There were a lot of barren fig trees in Palestine. It was a fairly common site. They grew almost wild. What was needed was human hands to toil the soil, mix in some fertilizer, do some pruning. Put forth some effort, and ensure the trees have the water they needed to thrive.

Growth does not “just happen”; it often needs  effort. I see great hope in the fact that the gardener sees value in nurturing the runt of a tree for yet another season. I find a note of hope and a reminder to be patient with others as together we strive to grow and bear fruit. Who knows what one more year of faithful fertilizing might yield?

Quit fretting, worrying, wondering, hesitating. There’s a big world out there that needs God’s love. Go—fertilize, toil the soil, bring water to a parched place. Bloom in the image of Christ!!

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!