Farming 101

As another year squeezes out it’s last few days, it’s tempting to bemoan what lies behind, rather than ramp up for what lies ahead. Looking ahead is always the better option. Here is some simple farming logic:

- If you plant wheat, you gonna get wheat.

- You plant in September, but you harvest in July.

- You gonna get a whole lot more out of the ground than you put in.

- You can’t do nuthin’ about last year’s crop, but you sure can do somethin’ about next year’s crop.

These principles are echoed in Galatians 6, where Paul is wrapping up a great letter helping people not to default to rules and regulations (looking back), but to stand fast in the liberty by which Christ had freed them, and keep moving forward. We reap what we sow. We may not reap immediately; there is a process involved. What is reaped in our lives is far more than what we’ve sown. The past cannot be changed, but it is never too late to do something about the future.

Paul’s actual words are “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:7-10)

As we enter another year, another lap around the sun, what are you sowing in your life? Hey, we’re all sowing something. Our actions, our words, our attitudes, our decisions… they all bring results, or consequences into our lives. So let’s look forward this next year, taking actions and making decisions that will reap spiritual benefits and positive progress in our relationship with the living Lord.