Don’t bother washing the hat

This spring I put in a new garden.  I’ve already blogged somewhere about it, so I’ll spare the details, but to say it’s back-breaking work (fine, I’ll admit it—especially for this aging back) is without question.  I’ve done it, however, with the hopeful expectation of an improved harvest. 

If I’ve learned one thing living in America’s Heartland, it’s that farmers are possibly some of THE hardest working individuals on the planet.  Their hands are not soft, and the ball caps on their heads are not nice and clean.  During harvest, they work dawn to dusk (sometimes beyond that), and it takes not only brains, but also plenty of old-fashioned brawn.

And patience.  And persistence.  And I’m very grateful that they are, since without it, I wouldn’t have much to eat (considering my gardening skills and all….)

Jesus uses an apt illustration, then, when He compares our hearts to farming–

“And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest”.

It appears that God’s will for us is to:

• Be patient in our obedience, consistent, trustworthy, unflagging, and resolute.
• Be productive, as is “not idle”, “not in vain”, “not futile”
• Be HUGE, like the fishermen’s nets that couldn’t hold all the fish (twice)!
• All of which will bring in a harvest for His kingdom.

Of course, like all farming, strength is NOT an option, it’s a prerequisite, not only in bringing the Midwest’s harvest, but God’s as well.  And this spiritual strength is connected to one power source: Obedience.

“…be careful to obey every command I am giving you today, so you may have strength to go in and take over the land you are about to enter.”

I’m writing this in springtime, so by the time this post is actually published, I hope to be eating (and sharing) some fresh produce borne of patience and persistence.

Spiritually speaking also.

Luke 8:15; Deut.11:8  Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.