We have many fruit trees on our property. We had one year that was particularly rough on the trees. We invested a lot of time, effort and money into trying to keep these trees alive. We lost some of them, but we saved some of them. Some looked different as the original tree died, but new life sprang up into a new tree.
Have you ever had a plant or something that you invested a lot of time into and didn’t want to see it die? We find a similar situation in the book of Luke.
Luke 13:6-9 KJV 6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. 7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? 8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
You see, the owner of the vineyard was ready to kill this fig tree. I believe that the dresser of the vineyard is the one that planted it. He had taken great care to keep this tree alive. He had invested in this tree year after year. Although it hadn’t produced anything yet, it was still alive. It still had potential. He did not want to see it die.
God may put a desire for some type of ministry in you. Just like growing trees it may be slow growing, but with every new sign of life you’ll get really excited. At first you may have many people excited for you. Eventually though if they don’t see growth or maybe they just get used to it being around they may lose interest. You may become the only person that is left trying to keep it alive. Or you may start and no one seems excited or interested. Either way you will most likely be the only one that seems to be trying to make it live.
Sometimes it happens this way so you can teach others. (This is something that you will learn that if you’re going to reach others, you will go through things for simply that reason).
You will have to get a determination that this is what I feel like I’m supposed to do so I’m gonna do it, even if I have to do it alone.
If God gives you some type of ministry you may be the one, the only one at times, that keeps it alive. Don’t get angry at others if they don’t seem to be as excited as you. It’s not their ministry. Don’t give up because it takes a long time to grow. Sustainable trees don’t grow overnight. Don’t be bothered if it looks different than you originally saw it shaping up. If it’s still alive, be happy about that. Gain strength in knowing that you are doing what God has given you to do.
2 Timothy 4:5 NET You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry.
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