FARMING WITH GOD (what a privilege!)

There is no doubt about it – God is a Farmer. And God’s field is a big (from our perspective) blue & green ball spinning around a massive ball of fire in a galaxy we call the Milky Way. This field of the Maker’s imaginings is set in the midst of a universe which is so massive that we can not even begin to fathom the complexity and size of it all. From beginning to end, the Scriptures use imagery of a garden filled with abundant life and good things. Everything is perfect at the beginning (Genesis) and the End (Revelation), but there is that season in-between when something has happened, and the land has been tainted and disturbed. This in-between season has cycles of weather that we could describe in scientific, agricultural terms as “good”, “bad”, and “ugly”. “That was an ugly storm that moved across the western fields yesterday”… “Looks like good weather today in the southern fields, as the sun rises and a cool front blows through”… “A bad storm is brewing over in the middle east fields today”… And so the forecasts and reflections go, a never ending cycle of confusion, disturbances, and occasional peace and hope. But we who know the Farmer, are certain that these weather disturbances are only temporary. We know because the Farmer has told us so.

"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where briers grew, myrtles will sprout up.” This miracle will bring great honor to the LORD's name; it will be an everlasting sign of his power and love. (Isaiah 55:8-13)

Seeds are being planted and watered; workers are being called into the fields to prepare for the harvest. Our toil, tilling and sweat is not in vain; the Farmer knows His land, He knows its cycles, He sees the broader picture and He has the patience to bring about an incredible, plentiful crop that will produce abundant life and fullness in this field. The Farmer is not distant and remote, but rather walks among his crops, testing the soil, adding fertilizer where needed, pruning so as to produce much fruit, caring, tending, and enriching the fields as much as is needed, exactly as is needed.

Toward evening they heard the LORD God walking about in the garden…(Genesis 3:8). In the beginning the Word already existed. He (the Farmer) was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. But although the world was made through him, the world didn't recognize him when he came. So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the (Farmer) - Father (John 1:1-4, 10, 14).

His timing and concern is perfect. The Farmer knows the seasons; He does not waste one bit of soul, (excuse me), soil; He scatters seed everywhere with loving care, especially in the marginal zones, in places one would not think to plant. He is a creative master, a botanist of the highest order, and knows how to grow anything, anywhere. He sends His hired hands out to work and tend, to water with loving care, to distribute the fertilizer of His Word of Life especially in those places that seem desolate and unproductive. For the Farmer has a green thumb; He can create life out of emptiness simply with a song.

"Peace be with you. As the (Farmer) has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21).

The Farmer’s awareness is always upon this spinning ball of life, He lingers among His fields, both day and night, and not one little detail misses His careful and precise attendance. He knows when the Harvest will be ready, and all of creation awaits that day with longing and expectation! The Maker’s Way is the most excellent method, and our hope is in the Farmer’s loving care and marvelous wisdom.

Then an angel came from the Temple and called out in a loud voice to the one sitting on the cloud, "Use the sickle, for the time has come for you to harvest; the crop is ripe on the earth” (Revelation 14:15). And the angel showed me a pure river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, coursing down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No longer will anything be cursed. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there-- no need for lamps or sun-- for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever (Revelation 22:1-5).

(link to song Blackland Farmer - just click on post title)