July 7, 2005

   A large number of people in my family during the past century were farmers in Kansas, Ohio, and Missouri.  They would farm the fields, raise their cattle, and tend to the assorted livestock.  Everyone who has farmed, and even those who have dabbled in a backyard garden, recognize that when you plant a crop you never know what kind of harvest to expect.  The farmers in my family would say that some years would be good, some would be tragic, and a few would be outstanding.  When the crops failed you would gaze at the barren fields and pray that next year would be better.  On the occasional years when a crop turned in a bumper yield, you would rejoice at the blessing.  They would also say that no matter what the yield, you should always give thanks to God for God is the source of all life.

A large percentage of our time as a people of faith is spent planting seeds and not knowing what the harvest will yield.  There are times in life when we plant the seeds of new beginnings.  We plant the seeds of inspiration, learning, hope, and embark on a quest of discovery.  We plant seeds of faith by sharing our knowledge of God and the redeeming love of Jesus Christ.  We plant seeds of spiritual growth when we teach each other how to pray, how to forgive, and how to mature in our relationship with God.  We plant seeds of vision and see the desire of God for our lives when we are willing to trust in God rather than ourselves. 

The apostle Paul understood the trust required by all disciples when he wrote to the Corinthians, “What then is Apollos?  What then is Paul?  Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each.  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.  So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”  1 Corinthians 3:5-7

God is at work in many ways.  God is touching our church family and working to help us growth as disciples.  May the seeds of faith planted in your heart bring forth an abundant yield in the fields of God.

Grace and Peace,

Richard