Poor Spot of Land

Jacob 5 recounts the allegory of the Tame and Wild Olive Tree. In the allegory the Lord of the Vineyard takes some of the branches from the Tame Olive Tree and grafts them in to a tree in the nethermost parts of the Vineyard. When they went back the Lord noted that the tree had produced natural fruit. The servant of the vineyard questioned the Lord in verse 21, "How comest thou hither to plant this tree, or this branch of the tree? For behold, it was the poorest spot in all the land of thy vineyard." In verse 22 the Lord answers "Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit." This stood out to me tonight. The Lord can take anything and turn it into what he needs it to be. There is obviously some time involved. He had to nourish the ground for a long time before he saw the results from his labors but he did see the results. I think this is also true in many ways in our own lives. I am amazed at what the Lord can do with some people. I have seen some of the most unlikely people rise up in his service and become extraordinary servants. Usually we only see the tree after it has been "nourished ... this long time." We don't see the condition of the ground before. I know in my life he has spent significant time nourishing me. Last week I was sustained as the Second Counselor in the Bishopric. I am sure more than a few people saw me get called and then said like the servant "him?" I know that the Lord can do all things. If I will only let him, he can take me, this poor plot of lands and turn me into a thriving vineyard.