Basic Farming

Today’s Jewel:

Perseverance

Treasure Map Coordinates:

Galatians 6:9

As a high school student, I learned the value of “if, then” statements in my programming class. I was learning how to write programs using a computer language called BASIC. Think of it as an ancient ancestor to modern-day coding.

I don’t know how my classmates felt, but my sentiments towards computers were along the lines of, “I’m new to computers and scared to death of them.” Fortunately, Mr. Gossen was excellent in his field of study and brought calmness to my heart through his systematic approach to computer programming.

A basic component of writing BASIC programs (smile) was the “if, then” statement. I learned the “then” portion of my program would only compute when the “if” statement was true.

This concept is not merely reserved for BASIC programming. I have seen this truth duplicated in life many times over. Even Scripture has a fair share of “if, then” statements.

We find such an expression in today’s highlighted verse. Granted, the “if, then” statement isn’t explicitly declared, but if we take a moment to comb through Galatians 6:9, we’ll find it shining brilliantly:

Let us not become weary in doing good,

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

IF we do not give up.

IF we keep doing good.

THEN we will reap a harvest

There’s no doubt about it: I want the harvest. I want to scoop the results of hard work and patience, of toilsome labor and anticipation into my lap and enjoy the bounty handfuls at a time. I want to throw the grains of my harvest into the air and allow them to rain down on me as I spin in circles of delight. I relish the thought of throwing up my arms in victory and praising the Lord for an abundant crop.

The catch? I must keep on keeping on. I can’t give up when seeds haven’t sprouted. I must continue to water even when growth seems plateaued. I must be vigilant to keep pesky weeds from forming an alliance with the fertile soil of my tilled garden. Persistence and perseverance are implied prerequisites for a harvest to come.

The ground in my field has been rock solid. Hard and unyielding, it has taken years to plow the ground and make ready the furrows for planting.

At times, yes, I want to throw in the towel. “Enough!” my fleshly heart cries out. The work has indeed been grueling and burdensome. Discouragement grabs my ankles at every turn, for there has seemingly been no reward. Grace, kindness and love are the fundamental tools with which I plow my field. I water with patience, compassion, many prayers and more grace. Despite all my efforts, I have been rewarded with distrust, unkind words and apathy.

God encourages the deepest part of my being with Galatians 6:9. A harvest will come. Fruit from my labors will emerge. I will enjoy the bounty if I do not give up.

This harvest will come “at the proper time.” Only God knows the proper time to bring forth a rich and abundant harvest. I must trust his timing.

God’s word is divided into two parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament points to Jesus, while the New Testament is the revelation of Jesus. Between God’s promise of a Savior (Old Testament) and the fulfillment of his promise (New Testament), God’s people endured centuries of complete and utter silence.

For four hundred years no prophetic words were uttered. No visions were revealed. The Jews wondered if God had forgotten his promise. But in the fulness of time, God made true on his word. God waited until the social, economic and political climate was perfect to send Jesus to earth as a man. It was “when the time had fully come [that] God sent his Son” (Galatians 4:4).

Since God was so intentional in his timing to send his own son, Jesus, to earth as a man, I believe God knows the best time to bring forth a harvest from my own field. And truth be told, it’s his field. He has simply chosen me to be the farmer for a while.

Until the harvest comes, I must keep doing my part. I must keep doing good. I can not give in to weariness or exhaustion, momentary setbacks or difficulties. These are all part of a farmer’s life. I must embrace it.

We all have fields awaiting a harvest. Let’s resolve to persevere. Do not grow weary, my friend. Keep on keeping on.

For Reflection

Watering our fields with goodness is key to harvest. What does “doing good” practically mean for your field?

Giving up on your role as farmer would be easy. What motivates you to keep plowing, planting, watering and weeding your field?

Bury that Treasure!

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up

(Galatians 6:9).

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible: The New International Version (NIV)

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