Lately I have been reflecting on my life. I have been reflecting on where I am spiritually, professionally, and relationally. I was feeling a little "far" from God today and so I simply asked Him to share with me today. As I do every time I open His word I turn to Proverbs and read the chapter that coincides with the days date. Honestly, nothing jumped out at me.So I then turned to the New Testament. Mark 11:12-14 literally JUMPED off the page at me. This is what Mark recounts of Jesus that day: "On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he (Jesus) was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf (leaves in full bloom meant there should be figs), he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard it." (italics added by me)
As I began to study these 3 verses, I discovered that the fig tree was used in the Old Testament as a metaphor for Israel's standing before God. I realized, sadly, that the fig tree could be used as a metaphor for my life as well. You see, my life has ALL the leaves. I pray, I go to worship, I talk about God and who He is in my life...but can anyone find a "fig" or "fruit" of righteousness in my life. I have all the outward signs of a believer (leaves), but where is my fruit? What does that look like? Lord knows I am not always a good representative of the gospel.
Maybe you are in the same "rut" as I seem to be. But don't be disheartened. Jesus gives a short answer that seems to almost have nothing to do with "figs". He says in verse 22, "Have faith in God." Huh? What does having faith have to do with having fruit in our lives. I think Jesus was saying two things here.
First, we must trust that God can remove anything that hinders us from bearing good fruit. Sometimes that is simply allowing us to have a fresh outlook on how we worship. Instead of our worship being a ritualistic or even habitual event, worship becomes new, refreshing, and exciting.
Secondly, in that simple verb, "HAVE", requires for us to do something. We must be willing to ask God for faith. To ask Him to remove any doubts, transgressions, or temptations that keep us from faith.
So, have faith! All you have to do is ask. See what else Jesus says in Mark 11.
