Lacking Service

The Christ, on the road from Bethany
In hunger, desired to eat
On spying a tree near the roadside
Approached, looking for a treat

He found an abundance of leafage
But no sign of the figs that He sought
Is this all you can do with your blessings?
Feed your roots, but production is not?

For God commands all things “replenish”
Was the fruit of the tree not for man?
It was so since the first day of Adam
And is vital to God’s earthly plan

And the seed that lay within the pleasure
Carries with it the magic of life
Would the fruit pass to new generations?
Or be cut off from earth with a knife?

Then the Master did something unheard of
He cursed the tree lacking in fruit
It wasn’t that it had been lazy
For each branch displayed many a shoot

But a leaf is for gathering sunlight
Intent to receive its fair share
The fruit is for others to savor
It is proof of a god and His care

The tree insisted on receiving
Giving back some was not in its plan
It took all the Maker had given
And ignored giving service to man

In a short time the tree’s branches withered
Its blessings were wasted away
No longer a vision of beauty
All was taken on that very day

For the living are given their mission
While on earth as the hours pass by
They inherit the tools they require
To prove faithful in tasks that they try

If the Lord came to visit our chapel
Perhaps to partake of some joy
Would we offer Him fruit in abundance?
Or excuses for work not employed?

Would we show Him our colorful clothing?
Our jewels and our mansions so new
Or would He see our hands worn and callused?
All from helping His flock, not a few

Have we produced the figs that He yearned for?
Is the heavy fruit yet on our boughs?
Or are branches adorned with full leafage
All we show for the sweat from our brows?

Yes, the Lord expects more from His servants
He’s commanded and we must obey
Feed His flock is the message He gave us
We must feed the lambs every day

And if we are found lacking in service
All our blessings that day will be lost
Our self-centered actions will curse us
And our exile the terrible cost

While you stand by the road, no one’s asking
And your fruits’ not required this day
But tomorrow the Lord may be passing
In your heart you know just what He’ll say

Do not waist your time storing up pleasure
Never trifle with things that don’t last
Keep your focus on all things eternal
Never be caught regretting the past