a l i v e & a w a k e

I have always loved the agricultural analogies in the bible, and lately Luke 13 Vs 6-9 has a story of two gardeners. It is about the fig tree planted and it does not bear fruit for 3 years. The owner says ‘cut it down’ but then another gardener came in and said ‘no, I will give it special attention and make sure it has the best environment to grow’ (my interpretation). The word for gardener in this context is;

ampelourgoß---a vinedresser that cultivates (to give over to one's care uncertain about the result, give fluids, to pour, pour into of rivers, to pour out, to put into, insert)

I feel a closeness to this gardener as of late. First because I feel (and I have felt) I am the fig at times that needs special attention and environment that cultivates fruit in my life. It has been precisely the people Christ raised up to be my gardeners (caring, pouring out/in inserting into my life). They are my mentors, spiritual companions (thank you to all who have been and continue to be this for me)! They have done so much for me just because they saw something about who Christ can be in my life and pour into me.

Secondly, I feel like in so many ways I am compelled to be this second gardener in this day and age. I realize more and more, God wants me to move from being the fig that receives care of a full empowered life to cultivate others through attentiveness and environments that build up.

Thirdly, the figs of today are people who have the capacity and inherent potential to be full of fruit (life abundant), but are incapacitated, apathetic, indifferent, or are marginalized (poors).

So what does the skills of the gardener look like today?
-in a word partnership, with God and with each other
-how this can look in a lifestyle, one who looks to where Christ is working in the lives of the people (assess and acknowledge/celebrate), surround them with encouragement, experience and ownership of who Christ is in them, and commission them to be ones who live in the partnership with Christ on this earth in the work of His Kingdom.

Story of this
A South Asian friend of mine who like the fig tree, felt his fruit was not bearing although he was planted in the world of seeking God (Sikh faith). Over time, many people took time to speak of Jesus and the life He was offering him (missionaries in India who baptized him, different books and writings and finally I had the chance to join the process, even still today!).
His first reaction to seeing God—Jesus, was to tell his family and go back to India with 3 bibles, books and other things to tell his friends about who Jesus is. He immediately felt the need to be the gardener to care for the other figs not bearing. He even told some of his coworkers about how Jesus can help them through the issues they face.

In a day and age where it seems most people are fig trees not producing regardless of whether people attend church services, Sikh meetings, or just sit and watch TV. The fruit bearing difference I see and experience is when people are aware of Christ’s working and pour themselves into that activity.

-joe