Jordan - Luke 13-14

Jesus seems so hard on the Average Joe and certainly people in authority in the last few chapters, but then he comes up with the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree (13:6-9).  I take from this parable that given the proper care and attention, people can change and there is always hope for new growth.  A spiritual I sang in my church choir in Philadelphia went like this:  "My way may not be easy; you did not say that it would be.  But if it gets dark, and I can't see my way; you told me put my trust in thee.  Lord, help me to hold out, until my change comes."

Yesterday, I was at the synod's budget hearing and it is hard to notice how much everyone is cutting back.  All of the ministries of the church have been asked to reduce their budgets as much as possible.  One of the presenters described the church like the fingers on the hand.  The pointer finger represents our constant focus on Christ.  The middle finger symbolizes that we are surrounded by community.  The ring finger indicates how we are committed to one another.  The thumb wraps them all in God's love.  But the pinky finger, that is as important as the rest because it symbolizes the bud of new growth.  It is so important that at this point in the history of our Church that we focus on new growth, outreach and change.  The idea of change is such a powerful thing, especially change through God.