"How many sleeps, Daddy?"
That's how we measure time in our house. With a three-year-old and a four-year-old, we've found that counting "sleeps" is the closest we can get to helping them understand the abstract notion of time's linear movement. It's a simple yet profound way of Marking the passage of days, whether we're counting down to a visit from grandma or the start of kindergarten.
But what happens when we're faced with longer periods of waiting? When the number of "sleeps" stretches beyond our ability to count? It's in these moments that we can learn valuable lessons about rest, growth, and patience – lessons that Jesus beautifully illustrated in the Parable of the Fig Tree.
The Parable of the Fig Tree: A Lesson in Patience
In Luke 13:6-9, Jesus tells a story that resonates with anyone who's ever felt impatient for results:
"A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"
Who among us doesn't know what it's like to have the impatience of the landowner? "How many sleeps, Mr. Gardener, until this darn fig tree gives me what I want, what I've worked for, what I've waited for?"
Or perhaps we relate more to the passionate gardener, pleading for more time: "Just let me try something new! This project, this relationship, this community just needs some new soil, some new manure, a new plan. Just give me a year and then we'll revisit!"
And sometimes, we might even feel like the vulnerable fig tree itself: "I'm doing my best! I just need a little more time, a little more support, a little more patience, a little more rest."
The Importance of Rest
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to forget the value of rest. We push ourselves constantly, ignoring the signals our bodies send us when we're overworked. But just like the fig tree in the parable, we need periods of rest to produce fruit in our lives.
Take, for example, the process of sleep. Though we think of sleep as "restful," our bodies are actually hard at work when we're doing it. As we lay our heads down to rest, our bodies begin a busy process of healing, rejuvenating, and resetting. Sleep resets and strengthens neural pathways in our brains to aid in decision making, memory recollection, and learning new things. Our brains rid themselves of toxins accumulated during waking hours through a process called "synaptic pruning." As we dream, the tissue of our bodies heals and regenerates.
Rest as a Catalyst for Growth
The parable of the fig tree and the science of sleep both point to a profound truth: rest and growth are not opposites, but partners. In the words of writer Cole Arthur Riley:
"Rested God, we want more than a life lived exhausted. That you have woven healing rhythms of rest into our minds and bodies reminds us we are worthy of habitual restoration. Keep us from apologizing for our own healing, that we would know that when we pause or rest, we are restoring not only our own bodies but the very condition of a world held captive by greed and utility."
This idea of rest as restoration applies not just to our physical bodies, but to our spirits, our relationships, and our communities. When we allow ourselves and others the time and space to rest, we create the conditions for new growth and fruitfulness.
Challenging Our Culture of Hustle
Our culture often tells us that constant hustle is the key to success. But the parable of the fig tree challenges this notion. As Jeff Chu points out in his commentary on this passage:
"Perhaps this parable is better read as a gentle rebuke against those of us who are all too comfortable with our on-demand, instant-gratification culture—and who believe the lie that we can control more than we actually do... Perhaps this is our invitation: Slow down. Do your part. Remember the promise: the harvest will come."
In a world that often feels stuck and stagnant, seeking places of rest and growth is a spiritual discipline. It's a sacred task to practice rest and allow for the growth that comes with it.
Putting Rest into Practice
So how can we incorporate more rest into our lives? Here are a few practical steps:
As we close our eyes to rest, may we open them to see the world anew. May we find, in the quiet moments of rest, the strength to grow and bear fruit in our lives and in our world. In the name of God the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, may all of us, God's children, say: Amen.
That's how we measure time in our house. With a three-year-old and a four-year-old, we've found that counting "sleeps" is the closest we can get to helping them understand the abstract notion of time's linear movement. It's a simple yet profound way of Marking the passage of days, whether we're counting down to a visit from grandma or the start of kindergarten.
But what happens when we're faced with longer periods of waiting? When the number of "sleeps" stretches beyond our ability to count? It's in these moments that we can learn valuable lessons about rest, growth, and patience – lessons that Jesus beautifully illustrated in the Parable of the Fig Tree.
The Parable of the Fig Tree: A Lesson in Patience
In Luke 13:6-9, Jesus tells a story that resonates with anyone who's ever felt impatient for results:
"A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"
Who among us doesn't know what it's like to have the impatience of the landowner? "How many sleeps, Mr. Gardener, until this darn fig tree gives me what I want, what I've worked for, what I've waited for?"
Or perhaps we relate more to the passionate gardener, pleading for more time: "Just let me try something new! This project, this relationship, this community just needs some new soil, some new manure, a new plan. Just give me a year and then we'll revisit!"
And sometimes, we might even feel like the vulnerable fig tree itself: "I'm doing my best! I just need a little more time, a little more support, a little more patience, a little more rest."
The Importance of Rest
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to forget the value of rest. We push ourselves constantly, ignoring the signals our bodies send us when we're overworked. But just like the fig tree in the parable, we need periods of rest to produce fruit in our lives.
Take, for example, the process of sleep. Though we think of sleep as "restful," our bodies are actually hard at work when we're doing it. As we lay our heads down to rest, our bodies begin a busy process of healing, rejuvenating, and resetting. Sleep resets and strengthens neural pathways in our brains to aid in decision making, memory recollection, and learning new things. Our brains rid themselves of toxins accumulated during waking hours through a process called "synaptic pruning." As we dream, the tissue of our bodies heals and regenerates.
Rest as a Catalyst for Growth
The parable of the fig tree and the science of sleep both point to a profound truth: rest and growth are not opposites, but partners. In the words of writer Cole Arthur Riley:
"Rested God, we want more than a life lived exhausted. That you have woven healing rhythms of rest into our minds and bodies reminds us we are worthy of habitual restoration. Keep us from apologizing for our own healing, that we would know that when we pause or rest, we are restoring not only our own bodies but the very condition of a world held captive by greed and utility."
This idea of rest as restoration applies not just to our physical bodies, but to our spirits, our relationships, and our communities. When we allow ourselves and others the time and space to rest, we create the conditions for new growth and fruitfulness.
Challenging Our Culture of Hustle
Our culture often tells us that constant hustle is the key to success. But the parable of the fig tree challenges this notion. As Jeff Chu points out in his commentary on this passage:
"Perhaps this parable is better read as a gentle rebuke against those of us who are all too comfortable with our on-demand, instant-gratification culture—and who believe the lie that we can control more than we actually do... Perhaps this is our invitation: Slow down. Do your part. Remember the promise: the harvest will come."
In a world that often feels stuck and stagnant, seeking places of rest and growth is a spiritual discipline. It's a sacred task to practice rest and allow for the growth that comes with it.
Putting Rest into Practice
So how can we incorporate more rest into our lives? Here are a few practical steps:
- Prioritize sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Your body and mind will thank you.
- Create moments of stillness: Set aside time each day for quiet reflection, prayer, or meditation.
- Practice Sabbath: Whether it's a full day each week or a few hours, create a regular time of rest and renewal.
- Be patient with yourself and others: Remember the gardener in the parable. Sometimes growth takes time and nurturing.
- Reframe "productivity": Recognize that rest is not laziness, but an essential part of being truly productive and fruitful.
As we close our eyes to rest, may we open them to see the world anew. May we find, in the quiet moments of rest, the strength to grow and bear fruit in our lives and in our world. In the name of God the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, may all of us, God's children, say: Amen.
RSS Feed
