Farming and Faith

I never know from day to day what I'm going to write about, or if I will write at all. But this morning, while doing dishes and looking outside at the clouds, wondering if it's going to rain, I was also listening to the T.V. - "full circle" - a program I really enjoy watching. One of the guests, who is going to be a missionary to Cambodia and be on the "frontline" so to speak, of the sex trafficking epidemic that is rampant there, quoted somebody. I missed who she was quoting, but I quickly wrote down the quote because it was so good. She said, when asked why she would be going there, "If there are no risks in our exploits for God, then there's no need for faith."

Risks. I do not perceive myself as a risk taker. I like to know the outcome. I like to know details. But what she said is really sticking with me. And making me think. And making me question if I have been taking risks in my exploits for God.  Am I sticking myself out, in faith, to do something for God?

As farmers, I suppose I could say, we take risks all the time. Farming is a faith-based occupation. We never know, from year to year, if there will be  crop. Our livelihood is  a risk, based on faith in the wonderful God who provides what we are unable to. We depend on Him, completely, for what transpires in the field. Sure, My Sweetheart does what he can and what he needs to, but he ultimately puts his faith in the Lord for everthing else. The weather, the rain, the sunshine,the grasshoppers - all out of our hands. Out of our control. And yes, some years are lean.  Most years are plentiful. But we have NEVER been in want.  Our needs have always been supplied.  We serve a faithful God. But, because of  faith, year by year, My Sweetheart plants the seeds. And we hope that they will grow. We have faith in our God that they will grow.

Farming. Faith. Risk-taking. We have such need for faith.  Not faith in our abilities, but trust in God who proves Himself faithful.

"now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen..."  Hebrews 11:1