A Parable of the Lilac Bush

"[Jesus] told this parable: 'A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, "For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?"

' "Sir," the man replied, "leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down." ' "
[Luke 13:6-9]

In an earlier post, I mentioned an unproductive lilac bush in our backyard which needed to be dealt with. This is our third spring season in the house and it was no surprise that the lilac bush had very few leaves on it again this year and little prospect of producing fragrant blossoms or any lasting beauty. Unlike the vineyard keeper in the parable above, my observation of our lilac bush was that it was "near death". Therefore, it would be best to cut it down and allow opportunity for new growth or to plant an entirely different shrub or tree in its place.

Over the past couple of weeks, I began the process of "pruning" the lilac into acceptable size branches for our yard waste program. During that process, I realized that the bush was even more near death than I had expected. In fact, some of the larger branches were able to be snapped off from the roots. Today was the day to complete the process of removing the lilac bush from our landscape. Much easier than expected, I was able to remove significant portions of the root system so I am uncertain if there is any hope for new growth. Rather than a stump remaining, the ground is levelled off with little evidence that something actually grew there before today.

The parable of the fig tree which failed to bear fruit is intended to be an "earthly story with a heavenly meaning". Likewise, the story of the lilac bush may lend significance to our modern day lives as well. How many of us have something in our lives which we hang onto for nostalgia's sake or with the hope that someday it will prove to be a productive part of our lives? If there is a lesson to be learned from the lilac bush, it might be this. There is wisdom in taking inventory of our lives, much like a store owner would take inventory of his or her retail stock. If a product is not selling, it is often discounted and removed from taking up space on the shelves for good.

Is there a habit, a grudge, a negative thought or feeling, or a fear that needs to be cut out of our lives so the rest of our life might be as productive as possible? What changes do we need to make to the landscape of our lives to enable us to grow and flourish like the brilliant hued flowers of spring and summer? When a tree or shrub dies, it no longer adds any beauty to nature's pallet. Only by cutting it down and removing it from the landscape is there an opportunity for new growth and renewed beauty in its place. The same is true for us as well. You and I are not able to express the beauty within us if we continue to drag around the "dead stuff", making sure that every one's attention is focused on that which needs to be disposed of.

"A man had a lilac bush that did not bloom year after year. One day he decided that he should cut it down so that it no longer took up the resources of soil and water. In its place, he planted opportunity for new growth and beauty. He who has ears, let him hear!"

~ DB Turnmire