Today's chapter was Jacob 5, commonly referred to as the "Allegory of the Olive Tree". This parable, told by Zenos and quoted by Jacob, is a story of the Lord of a tame olive vineyard, which grows old and begins to decay. It talks about his efforts to save this vineyard which he loves. Although I know it's supposed to be about scattering and gathering of Israel and how the Gentiles will eventually be grafted into Israel, today it felt extremely personal.
Listening to the Book of Mormon is such a different experience than reading it. The reader is great at adding expression and emotion into the words. I was really affected by this verse:
"But what could I have done more in my vineyard? have I slackened my hand, that I have not nourished it? Nay, I have nourished it, and I have digged about it, and I have pruned it, and I have dunged it; and I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long, and the end draweth night. And it grieveth me that I should hew down all the trees of my vineyard." Jacob 5:47Maybe it was the pleading in his voice as he said, "What could I have done more in my vineyard?" One of my friend posted on facebook today, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" I read that this morning and it stuck with me, especially because I feel it's a stupid question. Bad things happen to everyone! Good and bad people alike. But as I listened to this verse I had another answer.
In this verse, the Lord of the vineyard, Jesus Christ, explains all the things He has done to save and preserve his vineyard. He nourished it, digged about in it, pruned it and dunged it. And through it all He "stretched forth" His hand. These were acts of love. He says, almost in despair, "What could I have done more?"
How often do we get "pruned" and raise our voice to heaven in anger? Like my friend said today: "Why do bad things happen to good people?" I could ask the same questions: "Why didn't he love me the way I loved him?" "Why did my dad die?" "Why did I end up with an addiction?" "Why can't I be married and have kids?" "Why is my family crazy?" "Why do things never work out the way I want them to?"
We never complain when we are nourished. But what about digged about or dunged? I've often felt like I've been given a big pile of crap to deal with and wonder why that seems to be my lot in life. Or why all of the sudden everything around me changes?
Yet - these are all acts of love, and through all of it, His hand is stretched out all the day long.
I will do a better job of reaching out to take His hand and remember that he is the Lord of the vineyard and has a much better view of what He needs me to be.
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