The Second Wednesday in Lent - March 4, 2026
The Patience of God
Last night’s sermon focused on the Parable of the Unfruitful Fig Tree. Jesus tells a story about an owner of a vineyard who comes to his vineyard seeking fruit from his tree. It has none. He tells the vinedresser that after three years of seeking fruit from it that he should cut it down. The vinedresser pleads for one more year, in which he will take extra special care of it. If it doesn’t bear fruit by then he will cut it down. The parable teaches us about God’s patience, especially mediated by Jesus—the vinedresser.
I retold two stories of amazing patience. The first was that of my parents who were so patient with my sister in college. The other story was about our friend and former OGT Branch manager Cliff Kraft. I retold his story of visiting a potential client for years, patiently stopping by month after month for nearly 10 years. Most of us would stop after one sales rejection. Cliff was patient: after 10 ten years, the man gave him his largest sale ever! Talk about patience.