And he told this parable: “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?’ And 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.’” ~ Luke 13:6-9 (ESV)
Heavenly Father, it is so easy to give up on people, churches, ministries when we see no apparent results for years. However, Your Word tells us to cultivate and fertilze the ground and maybe the tree will bear fruit in the future. Give me the strength and courage and faith to continue to cultivate and fertilize to see fruit in the future. In Jesus’ name. Amen.