“He said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13:7-9)
To make this personal, our Heavenly Father created and gave the fig tree life, Jesus and the power of his Holy Spirit is the gardener and I am the fig tree. I am withered and exhausting the soil, doing nothing to glorify God in the purpose I was created for and seemingly worthless in the eyes of the Father who has for three years, been seeking the fruit I was created to bear.
As I think about it, why am I not using my gifts to bear fruit? What are my gifts? Am I lazy? Am I looking for a free ticket to heaven? Do I even care about building up the Kingdom of God by loving God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength? Do I love my neighbor as myself? Do I love myself? Have I waited too long? Is this the end?
O Savior of the world, come to my aid. Jesus begs his Father to give me some more time. He will cultivate the fig tree, fill me with his Spirit to accomplish the Father’s will to bear more fruit. Will I accept his grace and cooperate? Will I listen to my Savior who just stood up for me to save my life? Will I accept his mercy and repent?
I am looking at a crucifix as I write. Jesus hung on the cross and died for me and my sins. How can I not bear fruit for the Kingdom of God? He gave everything for me, everything! I must give everything for him. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love that we will bear your fruit all the days of our lives. Praise, Glory and Honor to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seeking To Reflect Jesus 
Amen
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