It Ain’t the Dirt, It’s the Tree!

Happy Sunday!

Today we celebrated the 88^th  Church Anniversary of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church.  The guest speaker was Dr. James R. Woodson, II from Greensboro, North Carolina.  He used Luke 13:6-9 as a text.  His topic was, “It Ain’t the Dirt, It’s the Tree!”

Luke 13:6-9 (New Living Translation)

 ⁶ 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. ⁷ 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.’

 ⁸ “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. ⁹ If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down."

The tree was,
Guilty – of useless occupation of useful space.  The tree wasn’t producing and the owner wanted to use the space for a tree that would produce.  
Guilty – of not fulfilling its GOD given destiny.  It was a fig tree. It was designed to produce figs.  
Guilty – of being a spiritual parasite.  A parasite always takes and never gives.  The tree was using sunshine, rain, air and space and not giving anything back.

I sure hope we aren’t like that tree.  What would cause a fruit tree not to produce?  Well, I didn’t have time to ask my cousins Maurice and Donna Dowell of DOWCO Enterprises, Inc. of Chesterfield, Mo.   I'm confident they could teach me a lot about horticulture, gardening, and growth.  But Dr. Woodson, Googled it.  He said there are various reasons why a fruit tree may not produce.  One reason a fruit tree may not produce is immaturity.  An fruit tree may not produce for 3-4 years.  Another reason a fruit tree may not produce is if its roots aren’t deep enough.  It won’t produce if it is shallow.  Are we immature? (not mature, ripe, developed, perfected, emotionally undeveloped, juvenile, childish) Are we shallow?(lacking depth; superficial)  Are we playing the blame game?  Are we making excuses?

Every day we live is another opportunity to bear fruit.  You got another chance today just like that fig tree.  What are you going to do about it?

Have a great week, I have work to do!  Love, Cynthia