12312022 This Year Also

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our longsuffering God. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). The day of judgment is coming, but for now God continues to hold out His hand of mercy, inviting sinners to be saved.

I was recently thinking of the parable found in Luke 13:6-9. “He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down."

Because of the references to bearing fruit, and that this tree is planted and cared for at the guidance of the master, I suspect the application is regarding Christians who are slow to yield fruit as they ought to. Whether it is regarding believers, or whether it is about unbelievers who have not yet shown the fruit of salvation, I think the character of God is the same. He gives opportunities, but for each person, those opportunities do not remain open forever.

Thankfully, in this parable, there is a faithful servant with a compassionate heart. This servant asks for more opportunity – for one more year. He is willing to continue his labor even in the face of previous unresponsiveness.

This reminds me of you in your labors for God. Your hearts of compassion long for continued opportunities. Your labor of love continues, as you persist in working with both resistant unbelievers and with carnal believers. Some have seemingly taken steps forward, only to stagnate.

One more year begins tomorrow. This year also, you can dig and fertilize, plant and water, exhort and instruct, encourage and plead. This year also, you can pray for fruit. This year also, God can work. Perhaps in the coming year you will see results for which long you have sought.

The time until the Lord’s return is growing short. But for now, there is one more year. May God supernaturally work through your earnest and compassionate efforts to bring some into His kingdom that so far have resisted. May He get hold of the hearts of professed Christians, that they may truly begin to live lives of devotion and fruitfulness, when so far they have been content to remain on the fringes.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:10). This year also, let us labor. God bless.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA