Always Drink Upstream from the Herd (And other Farmer Truths)...

 

 

These days, most of us have no first-hand knowledge about farming; maybe a little gardening, but not full-out farming.  I did not grow up on a farm.  My father was pretty clear on the fact that my brother and I would be responsible for the cultivating and weeding of a good-sized garden plot out behind our house, but that does not qualify me as a farmer of any sort.

However, having grown up in Indiana, I have been aware of the farmer-truth that if you want a good yield of corn, it should be “knee-high by the fourth of July.”  You don’t question that kind of knowledge, you just abide by it.

 

Just as you don’t question the wisdom of these farmer-truths, you just abide by them:
-Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight, and bull-strong.
- Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
- A bumble bee is faster than a tractor.

 

In a story about farming, Jesus said this, to those who would listen:
“A farmer went out to sow seed. Some of it fell on the road; it was tramped down and the birds ate it. Other seed fell in the gravel; it sprouted, but withered because it didn’t have good roots. Other seed fell in the weeds; the weeds grew with it and strangled it. Other seed fell in rich earth and produced a bumper crop.
“…the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold fast no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest.”

 

Here’s a truth…to be learned whether one is a farmer or not…from what Jesus said:

-The “Good-Hearts” are the folks you want to be like.  (He didn’t say this, but if he had it wouldn’t be out of character from what we think we know about him: “You don’t question great truths, you just abide by them.”)

The good-hearts are women and men who hold fast to the truth about God… 
…through thick and thin;
…through good times and bad times;
…through prosperity and adversity;
…come rain or shine;
…come hell or high water.
…the good-hearts hold fast to the truth that nothing in all creation can come between them and God’s love for them.

The good-hearts are women and men who keep themselves open to all the times and places where the truth about God may be found.
…who hold fast to what Jesus is offering to each and all of us.
…who hold fast to the truth that our value is more in our “being” than it is in our “doing.”
…who hold fast to the truth that we are absolutely worthy of God’s love.
…who hold fast to the possibility that we may not get everything we want, but life will be alright anyway.
…who hold fast to the truth that love of God and love of neighbor is the basis for any true spiritual discipline.

 

 

Perhaps God comes to us disguised as “our next moment.”

And in that next moment we can choose to be the Good-Hearts, holding fast to the truth about God until the harvest comes in.

 

And here are two more farmer-truths:
- When you wallow with the pigs, expect to get dirty.
- Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.