Luke 13:6-9 –  ^“Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.  ⁷ So he said to the worker who tended the vineyard, ‘For three years now, I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and each time I inspect it I find none.  Cut it down!  Why should it continue to deplete the soil?’ ⁸ But the worker answered him, ‘Sir, leave it alone this year too, until I dig around it and put fertilizer on it.  ⁹ Then if it bears fruit next year, very well, but if not, you can cut it down.’”

The Gospel of Luke held my attention as I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today.  As usual, the Holy Spirit addressed several areas for my consideration and development.  

One that challenged me deeply was Luke 13:6-9, the story of the unproductive fig tree.  The owner of the vineyard is God, but the fig tree has multiple possibilities.   It could be Israel.   It could be the church.   It could be us.   Three years could be a reference to the earthly ministry of Jesus or simply a reference to a time of normal development that was expected to result in fruitfulness.

The worker could easily be a reference to the ministry of the Holy Spirit and Jesus.  The thing that challenged me was that there is a limit to God’s patience in our being nonproductive for the kingdom.

We are here for a purpose larger than ourselves.   Our existence is not random.   Each of us has a call, a destiny, a purpose, and the gift(s) to fulfill that purpose.  We are God’s Fig Trees.   

Remember Jesus’ reaction to the fig tree that appeared to be fruitful but had no fruit?   We mistakenly equate fruitfulness with exploits and great works praised by men.   

We are members of the Body of Christ with specific functions to perform.   The hand, the eye, the knee, the foot, the heart, the ear, and even the armpit have a beneficial purpose and function.  God does not need, nor does He want us to all be an eye, etc.  He wants us to be what He created us to be and utilizes the abilities He has put in us for that purpose.

We are living stones.  That is wonderful, but terrible at the same time.  A natural stone stays where it is placed, never complains, and aspires for a more desirable position, visibility, and recognition.  Living Stones have a bad habit of aspiring for a position not designed for them.  They don’t stay where they are put.

The body cannot function at its peak performance and productivity unless each body part is in its proper place, performing its designed function.

We are God’s “Fig Trees,” and our assignment is to produce the “figs” He purposed us to produce.   No one may ever call your name publicly, but if you are producing the figs you were designed to produce, you will be praised in heaven.  “Well, done will be your recognition!”

Don’t allow old slew foot to bring condemnation, telling you that you should do or be something.  Ask God what body part you are and where your placement in His building is, and with contentment and confidence, Bloom where you are planted, and the fruit you are designed to produce will be realized.

Rather than fretting over, “What’s my gift?”   Seek Him; what you are designed to be will become clear as you see Him.  He will open your heart, mind, and eyes to realize what truly draws your heart and what you do well.

Do not predetermine what you think gifts are.    If it’s to smile and spread cheer, rejoice!  If it’s baking cookies, rejoice!   If it’s intercession, rejoice!  Be who you are and give that to Him.  He will produce the fruit in you.  Cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He prunes and fertilizes you.  You are one of God’s fig trees and have one job – fruit, the fruit He determined for you to produce.  Never compare yourself to someone else; just be!

May the fruit of your life be manifest for all to see and impact your environment and the Kingdom of God!