Only part of the process...

Life on the farm has been busy…we are in the process of finishing up planting. A time that can be intense and includes long days, late nights and lots of work. We'll be relieved when the planter is back in the shed, but the work will be far from over.

The other day as I thought about all that had to take place before we could harvest our crop in the fall, my mind began to drift and I thought about harvesting in a spiritual sense. Do you long to live a life that produces a crop? One that pleases our Creator?

As we work towards this, we can put much emphasis on planting seeds. This work is very important…crops will never grow if seeds are never planted. But will you learn with me from my recent lesson on the farm?

If my husband puts seed corn in the ground, we will have a crop to combine in the fall, but he knows more can be produced. He understands there are things he can do between planting and harvest that will increase the yield.

He can harrow the field, rotary hoe the crop and cultivate the corn. We can pick the rocks, pull the weeds and spray the fields. All of these things will impact the harvest.

And friend, in a spiritual sense we can do the same. We can till up the soil of our heart and remove the sin from our lives. We can protect the seeds by being aware of what we expose ourselves to and getting rid of things that can hinder growth. The growth of the seeds of faith can be stimulated as well when we saturate ourselves with God’s Word and surround ourselves with Godly friends. Time spent in worship will nourish the seeds too.

We can also enhance the growth of the seeds we plant by praying for and encouraging the ones we share with. Speaking Truth and living our faith are ways to care for the seeds we plant.

My husband, the farmer, does something else through the growing season that we must not forget - he trusts the One who does the growing. He knows there are things he can do to increase yield, but he also knows he is not in control. So from planting to harvest and all the time in between, he is praying. He asks God to grow the seed, bring the rain and produce a crop.

And in this journey, he trusts. He trusts our good and powerful God. The one who created the heavens and earth. The Lord who knows all and sees all. Our Father who has a plan and a purpose.

Oh friend, may we do the same as we wait for spiritual seeds to grow. Seeds that matter more than the corn and beans that produce a crop that provides for my family. May we remember that planting seeds is vital, but it’s only part of the process!

Today no matter where we are in the growing season, let us not forget a few things about the process...

"I said, 'Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord that He may come and shower righteousness upon you.'" (Hosea 10:12)

"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains." (James 5:7)

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)

Heavenly Father, Lord, we know you alone are the One who does the growing of every seed we plant. Help us not only plant seeds, but also care for them. Show us how to water, protect and nourish the seeds that have been planted into the soil of our own hearts and may we be diligent to tend other seeds as well. Thank you for the example we see on the farm and help us learn from it…farmers work hard, they invest time and trust You, may I do the same. And Father thank you for the growing You’ve done in my life…I am grateful and I ask You to continue to rain down and let the Son shine so that I can produce a fruit that yields a bountiful harvest for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen