In Luke 13:6-9, we read these words:
Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’ The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’ “
(Source: The Holy Bible, New International Version)
Before we begin today’s article posting, I want to pay tribute to the all of the men and women, who have given their lives for our freedom. We, as a country, are forever grateful for the sacrifices and dedication they have given “for the land of the free and the home of the brave.” May their families be honored, their memories cherished, and their lives remembered now and always. Thank you so much for laying down your lives for us. We are forever blessed.
Have you ever been at a place in your life where you felt that you were not reaching your goals and were nowhere near achieving your dreams? Maybe you thought, “Something must be wrong with me! Everybody else seems like they are accomplishing everything they set out to do; why is my life at a standstill?” One of the worst things we can do is to compare ourselves to others. What someone else looks like. What someone else drives, or where they live. How another person seems to be so good at everything they do. How can we possibly measure up?
When Peter compared himself to John (John 21:20-23) by asking Jesus about John’s fate, Jesus basically told Peter to mind his own business. Peter had a special, God-given, mission to fulfill and should not have spent his time focusing on what someone else was doing!
But what happens when you don’t feel like you are being productive—that you are not making any real or genuine progress (at least that you can measure and feel good about)? Everyone else seems to be passing you by—and sometimes at an incredibly appearing high rate of speed!
In the parable of the fig tree (above), the gardener had been trying to grow fruit for the owner of the tree for three years, and nothing seemed to be happening. No fruit . . . not even on the horizon. Just an empty tree! The owner didn’t see any good coming out of that tree, so out of frustration, told the gardener to cut the tree down. However, that was not to be the fate of the tree—at least not that particular year!
This past year has felt like a whirlwind of events—COVID-19, adjustments, fear, anxiety, depression, loneliness, job losses, anger, violence, and complete changes to our way of life . . . not only in the United States but around the globe. We all have been impacted in some way, shape or form. It might have seemed like we were never going to get back to normal, or at least our new normal. But here we are . . . on the brink of our new reality.
We owe such a debt of gratitude to our frontline workers, who have sacrificed for our well being. There has been loss . . . devastating for many . . . and we now have to rebuild. What would have happened had the medical professionals, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and scientists, given up? What would have happened for us had we given up on ever coming out of the pandemic alive and sane?
We are an interdependent world. Just as the gardener did not give up on the fig tree and asked for one more year, we now have the opportunity to give each other the grace that we, ourselves, also need. Many of us likely have questions:
“Now What?” What do we do? Where do we go from here? We’re excited about things (life) finally opening up for us, but what does that mean? What’s it going to feel like?
Other questions are a part of this equation: What have we learned during the pandemic? Do we have a deeper appreciation for family, friends, and for freedom? Can we demonstrate the love that the Lord tells us will show the world we are Christians (not on paper but truly living it out)?
We have the awesome responsibility to show compassion and care for people.
Have we learned this throughout the pandemic? The next time the Lord gives us grace (and we always need it!), the take-away should be to remember to do the same for others. Maybe this is one answer to “Now What?” Give grace, kindness, and love just as the Lord has done for us. The world is watching. Maybe we all just need one more year to understand what we have really learned over the past year. Who knows what each of us will be able to accomplish with just a little more time. Let’s not cut each other down.
Until next time,
Selah . . .