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Cursing the Fig Tree

“Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”
~ Mark 11:11-26

Jesus, why did you curse that tree?
You knew its time had not come—
just as yours had not, that day
you turned the water into wine at Cana.

Oh, that’s right. You said your day
had not yet come, but you did it anyway.
Your mother asked and you said no,
but she knew better than to say,
“Oh well, now’s not the time.” Instead
she told the stewards, “Do what he says.”

O Lord, may I remember always
that the time has come.
May I be instant when it’s time and
When it’s “not yet time”
because it is the time
for You to live in me.

6/2/18  See also John 2:1-11, II Corinthians 6:2, and II Timothy 4:2

This may be a poem in progress. I’m not sure I won’t be editing it later, but it’s a “do it now” poem, so I decided to go ahead and toss it in here. Maybe this is part of the “Resurrection Clothes” I’m to wear—being ready to act, whether the time seems right or not, when something is asking to be done, and done by me!


How do I discern between this readiness and a prudent waiting, not rushing in “where angels fear to tread”? I don’t know, and I’ve certainly made the wrong call countless times. But mistakes are learning experiences. I just hope I can learn from mine.
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Comments

  1. paintingbythelakeJune 3, 2018 at 4:47 AM

    I love the “humanness” in the question. You told me once that Wallace said “God can even use our missteps”.

    ReplyDelete

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