This morning, I sat with my coffee a little longer than usual. The sun had just risen, casting soft light through the window. I didn’t reach for my phone or open the news. I simply sat, listening to the leaves move in the breeze and letting the quiet settle around me. It wasn’t dramatic or even particularly eventful, but something about that moment stayed with me throughout the day.
Moments like these remind me of the fig tree in Scripture. In John’s Gospel, Nathanael is stunned when Jesus says, “I saw you under the fig tree.” That short sentence holds so much tenderness. To be seen in a place of quiet prayer or reflection, to be known in a moment that feels entirely your own—this is sacred. The fig tree, throughout the Bible, becomes a symbol of peace, shelter, and divine encounter.
We live in a culture that constantly pulls us toward movement. We are encouraged to do more, achieve more, and stay connected at all times. Stillness feels countercultural, almost irresponsible. But the spiritual life teaches us again and again that deep growth happens in quiet places. The fig tree invites us into a different rhythm—one of rest, attentiveness, and being present.
The practice of pausing is not simply about rest; it is about making space to notice what is real. When I allow myself to be still, I begin to hear the quieter truths beneath the noise of my life. I recognize what I’ve been avoiding, what I’ve forgotten, and what I deeply long for. I also become aware of God’s presence in ways that busyness often obscures. The Spirit rarely forces its way in but waits patiently for us to become still enough to notice.
Today, I’m learning to honor these fig tree moments. They do not look impressive, and they do not produce immediate results. But they are deeply formative. They cultivate attention, humility, and the courage to be fully present. If you find yourself tired, stretched thin, or overwhelmed, perhaps you, too, need time under the fig tree.
There is no need to prepare or perform. Just come and sit. Let yourself be seen. Let the silence speak. And if you need company, I’ll be here—waiting in the shade.
Under the Fig Tree 