Easter Week: Monday -- The Cursing of The Fig Tree

Figs

There is a story in the Bible about Jesus coming to a fig tree when He was hungry, and finding no fruit on it. He cursed it, and it died.

I think the story of the fig tree is meant to remind us that we are not to be idle, and "unfruitful".  We are to lead by example, by keeping the commandments, by going about doing good, and loving as Jesus did.  We have been given abilities and talents and we are to use them in the service of our God.  Jesus is loving and kind.  He is sympathetic, and understanding.  He also has expectations, and the story of the fig tree is a warning to help us remember that we need to put forth some effort in a quest to follow Him.

In Matthew 7:17 Jesus said, "...every good tree bringeth forth good fruit...".  In verse 19 He says "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."  On this day of Easter week, it would be a good idea to find something good we can do for someone.  We can forgive.  We can be kind.  We can be thankful.  We can be helpful.  Any time we do these kinds of things, I believe that we are putting forth good fruits, and are showing love for the Savior who gave everything for us.

The Joy of Dishes In The Wrong Place

Mike in Michigan
Mike is good at helping.

There have been times in the past when I have been frustrated when I couldn't find some dish or utensil that had gotten put away in the wrong place.  This was particularly true if I was in a hurry, and something I could usually find was missing.  Lately, however, I mostly smile when the dishes are in the wrong place because it means that someone has been helping.

The other day Dan got up in the cupboard to get a bowl.  We have two sizes of bowls and the big ones go up by the plates and the little ones go in the cabinet under the phone.  Dan found a little one up with the big ones and said, "Mike's been helping!"  I absolutely love that Mike (one of my sons-in-law) had been helping, and that Dan knew he had been helping.  It doesn't really hurt anything to have things in a different place than usual, and it sets such a good example for Dan to see Mike help all of the time without being asked.

Finding misplaced dishes almost always means that someone has been helping me (I rearrange things a lot) -- so there is joy and gratitude to be found in having dishes in the wrong place.

Nourish and Encourage

I was thinking this morning about how what I write might come across to others -- especially those who believe differently than I do.  While I do believe that there is doctrine and authority in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that is not had by other Christians, I do not believe that we, as people, are any better.  We are all children of God on a path of discipleship.  We all have the opportunity to study, or not -- to pray, or not -- to apply what we learn, or not.  

I am thankful for the people in my church who set such good examples for me, and I am equally thankful for those who do not belong to my church who set such good examples for me.  When I have gone through hard things, people in and out of my church have prayed for me, and I believe that God heard all of those prayers, and honored them.  

My cousin Mike and my sister Jenny
in 2009 (I think)

My cousin Mike, who is a Christian that does not belong to the same church as me, has been very thoughtful and supportive over the years.  He loves me, prays for me, and has sent me encouraging scriptures from his study of the Bible.  I am thankful for the light of our Savior that shines brightly through him, and that nourishes and encourages the light in me.  My sister Jenny, who does belong to my church is also a good example of a disciple of Christ.  My hope is that I will always encourage and nourish the light in others, and when I fail, that they will have the light needed to forgive.

In the end, we are all pilgrims seeking God's light as we journey on a path of discipleship.  We do not condemn others for the amount of light they may or may not have; rather, we nourish and encourage all light until it grows clear, bright, and true.

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf