Luke 13:7, 8– So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, “For three years now, I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down. Why should it use up the soil?” “Sir,”the man replied, “leave it alone for one more year and, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.” (NIV)
The owner of the tree only cared about the fruit. But the man who spent the most time with the fig tree was willing to put in more time and effort so that it could become useful. He didn’t yell at the tree; call it worthless, stupid or useless. Instead he went to work, not on the fruit, but on the roots.
In Acts 15:37-39 (AMP), Barnabas wants to take his relative, John, along on a missions trip. Paul’s only experience with John was the fruit of desertion. However, Barnabas took the time to invest in John’s roots. He dug around them and fertilized them with friendship, love and truth. Later Paul enjoyed the fruit of that rooting (Colossians 4:10) and so do we. John authored the book of Mark.
Now, whose roots can we invest in today? And who can we ask to invest in ours?
Prayer: Lord, thanks for Godly mentors who care about deep roots and not just visible fruit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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