Fig out of Season

I walked by a sign for a big catholic church today and this Sunday's sermon was titled "Figs out of Season" which sparked an interesting thought for me. We all go through seasons where we are better or worse about putting God first. I feel like I'm on the upswing of just such a season, where I haven't felt like I was showing or growing much fruit of the spirit in my life.

Here's the passage the sermon is likely referring to from Mark 11 (TNIV):

Jesus Clears the Temple

12The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard him say it.
15On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written:

" 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"

18The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
19When evening came, they went out of the city.

The Withered Fig Tree

20In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!"
22"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

This is also in an interesting context. This is towards the end of Jesus' life after his triumphial entry into Jerusalem. He does teem to be a bit touchy these last few days, he curses the fig tree, and later gets into a disagreement with the pharisees (though that bit is far from abnormal). But I guess what I've been wondering is this fig tree, that wasn't even supposed to be producing fruit at this time, really annoyed Jesus. Enough that he made it wither from it's own roots. And during this last season I've felt a bit withered from my roots myself. So I've yet to be able to put this thought down more clearly but I think the fig tree and I have a bit in common. Regardless of the season, God wants us to produce fruit. The most amazing and perplexing difference of course is that I know God will grow me even bigger than before and more fruitful. Because that is what I really want and what God really wants me to be. I'm looking forward to this next season of fruitfulness. If your the praying sort (or even if your not!) I'd greatly appreciate prayer for both a belief that God will bring me through to a new season and a willingness for whatever that new season is going to hold. I don't know what to expect, but I haven't been disappointed by the things God does yet!