By Frank Ramirez
I write lyrics for certain scriptures when I can’t find one that suits. Most of them are one-offs, but I’ve had people ask me if they can share this one with others, and of course the answer is yes. It’s set to the tune of the hymn “Will You Let Me Be Your Servant?” It goes with Luke 13:1-9, about the Galileans, the Tower of Siloam, and the parable of the fig tree and the gardener.
Give the Fig Tree One More Season
(Text copyright Frank Ramirez. Sing to the tune of “The Servant Song,” number 307 in Hymnal: A Worship Book)
Give that fig tree one more season. I’ll prune branches, work the soil.
Let me fling manure around it. This old tree is wo—rth the toil.
Lord, you walked about the vineyard, came upon this aging tree,
Found the branches bare and barren, where the fruit should ri—ghtly be.
Give me one more year, my master, I will tend with love and care,
I’ll awaken from these branches figs so all may fre—ly share.
None of us will be forsaken by our Savior, by the Lord,
As this parable reminds us taken from God’s ho—ly word.
When we’re weary and forsaken, when our lives are fruitless too,
Jesus will our hearts awaken and restore us throu—gh and through.
— Frank Ramirez is pastor of Union Center Church of the Brethren in Nappanee, Ind., and a prolific writer for Brethren Press, Messenger, Newsline, and a wide variety of other publications.
‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑
Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- Discernment and calling: An appeal for nominations for the Annual Conference ballot
- Disènman ak apèl: Yon apèl pou nominasyon pou bilten vòt Konferans Anyèl la
- Discernimiento y vocación: Convocatoria para la presentación de candidaturas para la votación de la Conferencia Anual.
- Help shape resources for intergenerational ministry: An invitation from Brethren Press
- Ayude a dar forma a los recursos para el ministerio intergeneracional: Una invitación de Brethren Press.