3/23/25 | Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey | Who's Who: Living Up to Our Potential | Luke 13: 6 - 9 NRSV

In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a man who had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. For three years, he came looking for fruit, but found none. Frustrated, he told the gardener to cut it down, questioning why it was taking up space without producing anything. But the gardener responded, asking for one more year. He would tend to the tree by digging around it and adding manure, hoping it would bear fruit. If it did, great; if not, then it could be removed.

This story invites us to reflect on patience and second chances. The gardener’s plea for more time symbolizes God’s patience with us, even when we don’t live up to expectations. It’s a reminder that growth and transformation are processes, and we are given opportunities to change and bear fruit in our lives. It challenges us to consider how we might need nurturing or a fresh start, and to trust that, with care, we can become what we are meant to be.