There lies a fig tree behind our small church
On a tiny, unassuming plot of land it stands

Though it may not seem like much
It bears the most luscious figs

Someone saw a stranger come by one day
He came and snagged all the figs

The fruits so beautiful
Even a passerby stopped on his tracks to try ‘em

May the fruits we bear in Christ be so evident and sweet
That those around us would stop to taste the goodness

My whole life, I’ve been struggling with the fear of insignificance: the fear that I may amount to nothing. Many times it has led me down the path of aimlessly doing more and more to accomplish something the world may deem significant.

Lately, I’ve been wrestling with God on how to be patient and wait upon the Lord, knowing that if I were to sign up and pursue something in my own strength, I’ll be left burnt out again.

Last night, the Lord reminded me of the fig tree— the good old ordinary tree in a small lot behind the church.

Then, the Spirit shed light on the following Word from Jesus in my heart:

Ah—

His words resonated with my innermost being.

Yes, I may be a mere tree in a tiny lot one can easily pass by without noticing. But what matters is whether I’m producing fruits that I am meant to bear.

And so what if I am insignificant by the world’s standards? I am significant to Him who loves me— and this, above all, is the blessing I have in Christ.

Earlier today, as I was seeking God and praising Him for His goodness in my prayers, the Spirit of Jesus whispered in my ear, “You are my child.” And through the following Word in Deuteronomy 28, He reminded me who I am in Him:

“The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, and not the bottom.”

That’s right. As a co-heir with Christ, I need not strive apart from Jesus like Martha but seek him with all my heart, soul, and strength like Mary.

It’s not who I am and what I do. It’s who I am in Christ and what God does through me.

What good is a fig tree that bears no figs?

Only when I seek God’s kingdom and His will, shall I bear majestic fruits that even strangers will notice and want a taste of. And therein, I will glorify my Father who loves me so dearly.

My Encouragement for You

Jesus says “the last shall be first, and the first last” (Matt. 20:16).

Not the last to the middle of the pack and the first to the middle of the pack; the last to first and the first to last.

God already sees us in the pole position. Is that enough for you?

If you are like me and struggle with the fear of insignificance and seeking praises of others, would you join me in humbling and yielding ourselves before Jesus our King?

He who keeps promises for a thousand generations promises it’ll be worth it.

With love, Jae

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: you should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)

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