Jesus told this precious story: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, “Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?”

But he answered him, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.”

This story shows us a God who gives new opportunities.

We are like fig trees planted in His vineyard. There are seasons when we do not bear fruit. But the God of new opportunities digs around us, separates us for Himself, and there nourishes us with all His love.

When He digs around us, we may feel that our comfort zone is shaken. Suddenly, things may not go as we had planned. A feeling of uncertainty and sorrow may overwhelm us. The action of the Holy Spirit has begun.

We find ourselves with fewer people around us, and it is then that we lift our eyes to the heavens again: Now God has all our attention and has set us apart for Himself.

We are ready to be fed, shepherded, and challenged. It will never again be said of us, “Fig trees without fruit”.