Are We Growing Figs or Twigs?

March 3, 2013

Opening Hymns:
496 Sweet Hour of Prayer http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh496.sht

Scripture Reading:
Luke 13:1-9

13 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. ² Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? ³ I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. ⁴ Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? ⁵ I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

⁶ Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. ⁷ So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
⁸ “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. ⁹ If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

Message:
How are we like the fig tree in the story that Jesus tells? I feel bad for the poor fig tree, it isn’t dead… In fact, I picture it much like any other non-fruit bearing tree. It is a beautiful tree with outstretched branches full of leaves. It is providing oxygen to the world along with all the other trees. So why is this poor fig tree getting picked on? If we cut down all the trees that didn’t bear fruit the world would be a much more desolate place. Why isn’t it enough that this tree is providing beauty and oxygen?

The fig tree in the parable is in a vineyard. Any gardener or farmer knows the importance of land availability. If a plant or tree isn’t bearing fruit that soil could be used for a different tree or plant. The problem with this poor little fig tree is that its purpose is higher than just providing beauty and oxygen… it is supposed to provide figs as well. The owner of the vineyard is not pleased because the land could be used for other things that are more fruitful.

Where do we fit in? Could it be that we, like the fig tree, are missing out on our purpose in life. Life can become busy… and at times we can become distracted by other things. We may be growing our leaves and extending our branches while the figs get neglected. At church we often pray for forgiveness for “what we have done, and what we have left undone.” Maybe some of the things we devote our time to are causing us to leave important things undone.

How do we spend our time? With the invention of the “smart phone” I feel my own intelligence dwindling. I spend more time playing chess and scrabble on my phone than I would care to admit. I also have the unnerving habit of continually checking facebook and my music writing site to see if anyone has tried to message me. Checking messages can be an okay thing to do, but probably does not need to be done hourly. This scripture makes me ponder. What am I leaving undone? Am I growing the twigs and not the figs?  

Time of Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, give us discernment to know what we should be doing in our lives. Help us to grow in the way that You would have us grow, so that when the time comes for harvest we will be fruitful for You. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
569 We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations  http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh569.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God