Eugene Peterson’s book “Eat this Book” teaches us to chew on a passage of scripture, digest it, and then put it to use in practical ways.  Use this pattern of Bible study to go deeper into a conversation on finding joy in our lives in all circumstances.  Use the following ideas as a potential starting point.  

What can we do to spread love and kindness, peace and grace in a fragmented world?  How do we live a faith that doesn’t despair and offers encouragement and hope to others? How do we seek the kingdom of God when we feel like we have little to offer or show for it? Let’s look at some scriptures that might offer perspective:  

Eat

Luke 13: 6-8  Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.  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 I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.  If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

Matthew 5: 13-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Chew

When considering the questions that we began with,  the scriptures offer some perspective.  For one, it appears that the old saying “one step at a time” fits our conversation.  Fruit, as in the example of the fig tree, doesn’t come quickly.  One can’t have an expectation that there won’t be an uncomfortable period of not knowing what might happen.  And, as the scriptures seem to articulate,  knowing what might happen isn’t the goal.  Instead,  the intention in doing something is where the sweet spot lies.  Moving forward with trust and belief to water and weed, to nurture a fig tree that isn’t growing YET, or shining one’s light where the light might not shine without you becomes the impetus to work towards the Kingdom of God reverberating across this world.  

A few months ago, Karen shared with me that she was encouraged daily by reflecting on the opportunities she had to give to the good work occurring in the world around her.  She showed me her kitchen cupboard door and wall that displayed pictures, names, and thank you’s that Karen had collected of people, nonprofits, and community partners that she impacted or cared for in some way.  Karen was no longer driving at that time, and only saw others when one might come to visit.  Yet,  as she recounted, she prayed each day over the names and activities, and each acted as a symbol and sign that God was faithfully using her offerings to further His work in our world. 

When we choose to move forward in faith to give to the kingdom, when we offer our resources, our time, or bodies, or minds, we don’t always know if it will bear fruit. We don’t always see any result. Instead, we make the decision to do something because we believe in the work that Jesus started on this earth, spreading love, light, and kindness where there may be darkness or untilled ground. As apprentices of Jesus, we each have gifts to bring forth, regardless of our circumstances or limitations.

Digest

How can we be a part of kingdom work in our world?  Consider these words written by Alan Patton about the role of the Christian: 

“No Christian should ever think or say that he is not fit to be God’s instrument, for that in fact is what it means to be a Christian.  We may be humble about many things, but we may never decline to be used…”  ((Foster & Griffin, 193)

Some questions to think about might be: 

• Where is God encouraging me to act?  What are the signs that he is speaking to me? 

• What is my “fig tree”?  How can I continue to be faithful to nurturing its growth and maturation? 

• Can I offer light in a dark place?  In what ways might God be able to use a small action on my part to build His kingdom? 

• Who am I able to impact?  How can God use me as an instrument today? 

More Food For Thought

From George Fox, founder of the Quakers in Puritan England (1624-1691): 

 “The Lord shewed me that the natures of those things which were hurtful without were within, in the hearts and minds of wicked men…The natures of these I saw within, though people had been looking without.  And I cried to the Lord, saying, “Why should I be thus, seeing I was never addicted to commit those evils?” And the Lord answered that it was needful I should have a sense of all conditions, how else should I speak to all conditions; and in this I say the infinite love of God. I also saw that there was an ocean of darkness and death, but an infinite ocean of light and love, which flowed over the ocean of darkness.  And in that also I saw the infinite love of God, and I had great openings. “  (Foster & Griffin, 128)

References: 

Foster, R., & Griffin, E. (n.d.). George Fox.. In Spiritual Classics: Selected Reading for

Individuals and Groups on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines (pp. 127-133). essay, 

HarperCollins. 

 Foster, R., & Griffin, E. (n.d.). Alan Paton. In Spiritual Classics: Selected Reading for

  Indivuals and Groups on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines (pp. 190–196). essay, 

HarperCollins.