Can A Fig Tree Bear Olives?

James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Have you ever had one of those experiences where you have an epiphany? That is a sudden realization that is almost blinding in how clear it is. Epiphanies are the most amazing thing. They can be heart-warming if it reveals that you are the right person, in the right place, at the right time. Similarly they can be disheartening when you realize you are the wrong person.

The James passage above could be looked at from a couple of points of view. Today we will look at it from a spiritual gifts perspective. If you look at 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 you can see there are a variety of spiritual gifts. I will not list the gifts here, that is something you should do. You can call it part 1 of your homework. Part two is to take a spiritual gifts inventory. You can find inventories in a number of locations. Do a web search & you will find some great examples. Knowing your gift set is very important. You can find what you have, and what you don’t have. You can find the reason you are not skilled in a particular area of ministry is you do not have the necessary gift(s). To continue to serve in that area is like a fig tree trying to bear olives. 1 Peter 4:10 reminds us that “As each has received a gift, use it to serve on another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” We have these gifts to further God’s kingdom here in this world. And we also know from 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 that we are one body in Christ with many parts. Just as our own bodies have many and varied parts, so too does the body of Christ. Each part performs what it was designed to do by the creator. An eye cannot hear and an ear cannot see. But when the work in concert the body sees and hears what needs to be done in serving the Lord. There also is an element of pride to overcome in serving the Lord. Not everyone can be in highly visible positions serving the Lord. But each who serves the Lord is just as important. What’s extremely important is remembering who is being served. Are you serving the Lord, or feeding your ego? That is the fundamental question that must be asked initially and frequently as you serve. Satan will try his best to shift your focus to self serving motives. Brothers and sisters of the risen Savior, keep your hearts pure. Focus on those being served. “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” are the words of wisdom the Apostle Paul gives us in Philippians 2:3. Maintain focus and humility in all that you do in serving the Lord today and every day. My prayer is that you will continue to find joy in all that you do in serving the Lord.

PRAYER: Lord God Almighty, You have endowed each of us with marvelous gifts. Help us to discern how to use these gifts in serving You and those You would have us serve. Give us clarity in direction and purpose. We ask this in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ who with the Father and the Spirit reign as one God now and forever. Amen