Elder’s Corner: “One More Time”

 I planted some tomatoes a couple of days ago. All of the plants looked healthy except one. It was poorly formed without a central stem, and not many leaves. I decided to plant it anyway and take a chance that it would survive even if it didn't thrive. I planted it in the part of the garden where the soil doesn't drain well, and has lots of clay lumps. I guess I thought, “Why use up the good spots for such a pathetic plant?” Then I remembered Luke 13:6-9, “And Jesus began telling this parable: ‘A certain man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it, and did not find any.  And he said to the vine-yard keeper, Behold for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any.  Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?” And the vine-yard keeper answered and said to him, “Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.”

This parable teaches us so many truths about God: He expects us to be productive (bear fruit). He is patient with us for a time even when we are unproductive (my favorite way to think about this is “He doesn't give up on us, He gives us a second chance, and third—you get it”). He will eventually exact justice from all (but not until He has given every person many opportunities for repentance).

I watched the movie “The Blind Side” again the night I planted the tomatoes. The story is about Michael Oher who was abandoned by his cocaine addicted mother only to be adopted by a foster family and given a second chance at life. They nurtured him, encouraged him, (in vineyard keeper terms they “dug around him and put in care and fertilizer) and he became productive. I think you may know someone in your life who needs a little extra time and attention devoted to them so they too will become productive. If you can't think of anyone, pray. God has someone in mind for you to spend some time with to help them become fruitful.

So I'm wondering “should I have planted the healthy tomatoes in the poor soil (since they're already healthy enough to survive?), and the poor plant in the good soil?”

—Alan